Kerala Chief Minister Pinrayi Vijayan has penned a heartfelt note after a woman, who sent WhatsApp messages on dowry torture, was found dead in the state. This was after a 24-year-old medicine student, identified as Vismaya Nair, was found dead. Nair had alleged in her WhatsApp messages how her husband Kiran Kumar dragged her by her hair and stamped on her face. The Kerala Police have arrested the victim’s husband.
Vijayan took to Twitter to write, “As a society, we need to reform the prevailing marriage system. Marriage must not be a pompous show of the family’s social status and wealth. Parents have to realise that the barbaric dowry system degrades our daughters as commodities. We must treat them better, as human beings.”
The Kerala CM added, “A fair society is that which treats women and men as equals. In light of the recent horrifying incidents of domestic abuse, Kerala has decided to take more stringent measures to create a fair society. The Government and the people will stand together to end this injustice.”
According to Vijayan, men ‘must accept the truth that women are not inferior and that they have equal rights’ adding that ‘youth organisations need to initiate awareness campaigns.’ “Parents should make conscious efforts to inculcate such progressive attitudes in their children. We have to nurture a new culture,” he continued.
Vijayan informed that a state nodal officer had been assigned to investigate and resolve complaints regarding dowry. “A woman SI will be assisting the nodal officer. Complaints can be submitted on phone to 9497999955. Exhort everyone to use this services effectively. Let’s curb the social stigma!” he concluded.
According to news agency PTI, Nair had also shared photos of her physical injuries in her WhatsApp messages. The victim’s father said that he had given 100 gold coins and a sizeable piece of land as well as Rs 10 lakh in cash.