Is there a direct relation between the practice of dowry and conversion of Lambanis to Christianity? is the question that has emerged after the recent Ghar Vapsi at Rolli Tanda in the district.
“It is one of the major reasons for conversion of Lambanis. The practice of dowry has been pushing poor fathers to do anything to obtain money for the sake of giving away their daughters in marraige. And, when money is offered for conversion, such fathers do not mind, because they know it is not possible to get their daughters married off without dowry,” said Mohan Naik, a member of the Lambani community.
He said that not just poverty and illiteracy but also dowry played a role in forcing the community members to convert to other religions.
Admitting that dowry was a major menace among the Lambani community, Jalaja Naik, chairperson, Karnataka State Tanda Development Corporation and a leader of the community, said that despite the several awareness programmes, the people of the community are still not ready to shed the practice of seeking dowry during weddings.
Stating that it would possibly take some time to convince the community, Ms. Naik, however, said that the community leaders, through the government, are encouraging mass marriages that could help save families from dowry.
“We are also trying to build more community halls to help people from the community conduct marriages at an affordable cost,” she said.
