Hyderabad: Despite stringent laws and campaigns against dowry demands, the evil practice is prevailing in the society. Parents of the girls are forced to borrow money on interest either to fulfill the demands of groom’s family or to perform lavish marriage due to societal pressure.
According to the report published in Telangana Today, a survey conducted by Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) and Dr Fareen Parvez, associate professor at University of Massachusetts, 55% of the household of Old City of Hyderabad had borrowed money on interest to perform the marriage of their daughters.
Survey conducted in five areas of Old City
During the survey process, interview was conducted in Kalapather, Tallabkatta, Nagole, Fatima Nagar and NS Kunta.
It may be mentioned that 34% of the borrower had taken the loans from financiers.
Dr. Fareen Parvez found that woman usually sells the gold they received during their marriage in order to perform the nikah of their girl child.
Debt trap due to monthly interests
Due to huge dowry demands, many Muslim families are falling in debt trap as they are paying monthly interests without any idea of principle amount.
Around 64% persons have reported that they are unable to get benefit of government scheme either due to documentations or mistakes.