Religion:Hunda tradition

Short description: Ill-tradition of Maharashtra in India

Hunda is a tradition of Maharashtra in which girl's father pays large sum, gifts, clothes and jewelry to groom and his family before, amid and sometimes after wedding. Many scholars in Maharashtra criticize it as ill tradition. By this tradition most of the time exploitation of girls families in Maharashtra happens. First time Government of Maharashtra passed a law against hunda tradition in 1961 and accept or give Hunda is a criminal offence in the state. Dowry is equal term for Hunda. Government of India have laws against Hunda tradition but, this Ill-tradition is still in use in Maharashtra's all district and in India. This bad tradition of Maharashtra is simillar to the bride price and dowry. In bride price groom or groom's family give money to bride's family or bride to get marry to him.

History

In 1961 Indian parliament passed anti Hunda law officially known as The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961. Hunda system of Maharashtra have similarities to the Dowry system of Europe. According to 1961 Act if offender found receive or give Hunda and found guilty Maharashtra's court. Judge can sentence him minimum five years of imprisonment and minimum fine fifteen thousand rupees. Court can fine offender as much sum he taken from girl's family. By the law of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961's section 4 if someone asked or demand Hunda directly or indirectly and found guilty in doing so India court can sentence him six to two years Jail and fine of ten thousand rupees.

Harrasment of womens

Hunda is a ill-tradition of Maharashtra and it is in practice of several states of India. Lots of women's and girls face ill-treatment due to this tradition. Some times women's husband demands for money after wedding and after several years later. Indian newspapers reports lots of incidents from all over India about Hunda. In Maharashtra sometimes murders of women's happens for Hunda, some husbands do harassment of their wife for Hunda

Law against Hunda

In 1961 Government of India passed anti Hunda law through parliament. But this law was weak and not was able to stop this tradition. This law was unable to conviction of offenders. That's why in the year of 1986 Indian government did amendment in this law and included section 304-B, in this law parliament clearly defined that what is Hunda. Social activist working to eradicate Hunda system says that government is not doing enough to eliminate this ill-practice.