A sociology textbook for nurses has claimed that dowry is good for society and even helps “ugly looking girls” find a partner.
The “gems” of social wisdom are available in Textbook of Sociology for Nurses, written by one TK Indrani and published by the New Delhi-based Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers.
Following a furore in Maharashtra academic circles, the publishers said they will delete the offensive sections in future editions of the textbook.
The dowry topic is covered in Chapter 6 of the book and says the main cause of accepting dowry by the groom’s parents is that they have to, in turn, give dowry to their outgoing daughters and sisters.
“Naturally, they look to the [incoming] dowry of their sons to meet their obligations in finding husbands for their daughters,” it says.
Contacted for comments, Samina Khan, a spokesperson for the publication house, said that the textbook author will not be revising the title.
“Whenever we go in for revised editions, this portion will be removed from the text,” the company told IANS in an email.
Retired Mumbai college professor Mangal Gogte said the publishers must withdraw all copies of the book and remove the chapter giving offence.
“How can such trash be permitted by education bodies or the universities, what impression does it create on the young minds and the future generations… The book must be taken off and changes must be made,” Gogte said.
Retired city junior college lecturer RN Desai said: “Who are the persons who cleared such nonsense for the students and how it was allowed to reach the students.”
“Is there any official scrutiny, quality checks or academic committee under the state or central education ministry that vets such material? Ideally, all the copies of the textbook must be taken off the market,” Desai said.
The chapter refers to how young boys earning high salaries or promising professional careers become “scarce commodities” and hence, their parents demand huge amounts of money from the girl’s family.
The author lists several “merits and advantages of the dowry system”, while accepting that dowry is banned under the Indian laws.
Dowry helps young couples establish their new household, it said.
In the form of dowry, the girl automatically receives her share of the parental property at the time of her marriage, is another contention. The dowry system helps spread education among girls as due to the burden of dowry, many people have started educating their girls, it also said.
“When the girls are educated or even employed, the demand of dowry will be less. Thus, it is an indirect advantage,” says the textbook.
Finally, it claims that “ugly-looking girls can be married off with attractive dowry with well or ugly-looking boys”.