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Nepal's Young Deputy Speaker Boycotts Weddings Involving Dowry Payments

Nepal's newly-elected and youngest-ever Deputy Speaker, Rubi Kumari Thakur, has declared she will not attend any wedding where dowry is involved. She urges wedding invitations to clearly state "dowry-free marriage" and calls the practice socially and legally unacceptable. Her stance highlights the persistent dowry system in Nepal, particularly in Madhes Province, despite legal prohibitions. The practice is linked to domestic violence and child marriage, with police still receiving complaints annually.

Key Points: Nepal Deputy Speaker to Boycott Weddings with Dowry

  • Vows to boycott dowry weddings
  • Calls for "dowry-free" on invites
  • Dowry is a key driver of domestic violence
  • Nepal has strengthened anti-dowry laws
2 min read

Nepal Deputy Speaker vows to boycott weddings involving dowry transactions

Nepal's Deputy Speaker Rubi Kumari Thakur vows not to attend weddings involving dowry, calling it a social and legal offense undermining women's rights.

"Not only giving or taking dowry, but also accepting marriages based on dowry transactions... is socially unacceptable and legally punishable. - Rubi Kumari Thakur"

Kathmandu, April 16

Nepal's newly-elected Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rubi Kumari Thakur, has announced that she will not participate in any wedding where dowry transactions are involved.

Thakur, 26, was elected Deputy Speaker on April 9, becoming the youngest person ever to hold the position, as the country's politics witnessed a generational shift. She was elected to the lower house through the proportional representation system from the Shram Sanskriti Party, a newly formed political party.

After being elected as a lawmaker, she had said she would work against the dowry system, which has been a source of domestic violence against women, particularly among the Madhesi community in Madhes Province, from where she hails.

"I have recently been receiving many wedding invitations. However, I have not noticed a clear mention of 'dowry-free marriage' on any of the cards. This indicates that our society has still not been able to completely free itself from the serious social evil of dowry," she said in a Facebook post. "Not only giving or taking dowry, but also accepting marriages based on dowry transactions, participating in such events, or attending the feasts is socially unacceptable and legally punishable. This practice directly undermines women's dignity, equality, and rights," she added.

She further stated that she would be unable to participate in weddings where dowry transactions are involved, urging everyone to promote dowry-free, equality-based, and dignified marriages. "I earnestly urge you to include a clear message in wedding invitation cards stating: 'Dowry-free marriage; giving and taking dowry is a social and legal offence.'"

Thakur's remarks come amid ongoing concerns that dowry-related customs continue to persist despite legal prohibitions and growing awareness efforts.

According to Nepal Police statistics, the police received 10 complaints related to dowry in the fiscal year 2023-24, seven of which were registered in Madhes Province, where the practice is most prevalent among the Madhesi community, though it is practiced across socio-economic groups. Given that the system is prevalent widely, usually only those where violence is involved, get reported.

In 2017, under the Penal Code (Act) 2074, Nepal strengthened its laws against dowry payments in marriage. The practice is considered a key contributor to domestic violence in Nepal and a driver of child marriage, as younger girls often require lower dowries, which incentivizes early marriage.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I appreciate the sentiment, boycotting weddings feels like a symbolic gesture. The real challenge is changing mindsets, especially in rural areas. Laws exist in India too, but enforcement is weak. We need grassroots awareness campaigns, not just political statements.
A
Aditya G
The link to child marriage is the most disturbing part. Families marry off daughters young to pay less dowry. This cycle of oppression needs to be broken. More power to Deputy Speaker Thakur for using her platform to highlight this.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to read about this from Nepal. The social pressure is immense. Even in urban, educated circles in India, "gifts" are often expected. Making it a point of public declaration on invitations, as she suggests, could actually create social accountability.
K
Karthik V
Only 10 complaints registered? That shows how underreported this crime is. Families see it as shameful to report, and the violence happens behind closed doors. We need safer, anonymous reporting channels and stronger support systems for victims.
M
Meera T
As a mother of a daughter, this gives me hope. We must raise our sons to reject dowry and our daughters to know their worth is not monetary. Change starts at home. Her boycott might make some families think twice before arranging a marriage based on transactions.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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