Dowry murders have become a major problem in Indian society today. The physical abuse inflicted on the bride, as well as the financial hardship and stress suffered by the bride's family, is outrageous. Daily cases of dowry-related deaths are reported across India. Dowry killings were banned in 1961, but the ban was never enforced. The number of dowry-related deaths continues to rise today because the law against dowry is not enforced. Dowry still exists in most Indian families. In India, people like to stick to traditions even if it is illegal. The tradition of dowry killings has continued for decades. In today's Indian society, Indian women are becoming more independent and the older generation and Indian men do not like the fact that Indian women are getting more rights and more freedom. Dowry is a tradition that runs throughout Indian society. Dowry is a tradition in which the groom and his relatives demand money, jewelry, and other luxuries from the bride's family. Upon marriage, the girl receives household appliances such as furniture, televisions, refrigerators and even clothes, cash and jewelry as a dowry. It was given to show the love and affection of the bride's family and to ensure a joyful and happy life after their marriage. The rich viewed dowry as a status symbol, but for the poor, it is a sense of honor. Some would say that dowry is a curse on Indian society and a lack of respect for women in this situation. This tradition is a burden on the bride's family, but the groom and his family enjoy the fruits of their labor. The value of the dowry depends on the job the groom has at the time, "ranging from 250,000 yen to 5 million yen or more in a country where a graduate's base salary starts at 6,250 yen." (Women In India). marriage... middle of paper ... g women come out of a sheltered existence…” (Escalating Violence). Slowly but surely, women are becoming more diverse and more powerful every day. The tradition slowly disappears as the older generation fades away and the younger generation introduces the new one. Indian people like to stick to tradition even though this tradition is illegal and cruel to Indian women. In modern India, it is common for young women to die because of their dowry. But Indian women are also becoming more independent today. They go to college to continue their studies and move freely with men and find jobs like normal people. The older generation and some men in today's Indian society do not like this. They don't like the fact that women are coming out of their sheltered lives and becoming freer to do what they want and live a normal life..