Calicut University Makes Mandatory For Students To Sign Anti-Dowry Declaration

Anti-Dowry Declaration: Calicut University of Kerala has reportedly made it compulsory for students to sign a declaration against dowry before they accept their degrees. They have also been warned that their degree will be cancelled in case of any violation of the declaration.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, over 386 students of Kerala University's Fisheries and Ocean Studies department have signed the declaration against dowry before getting their degrees.

The Governor of Kerala, Arif Mohammad Khan first introduced the idea of making students sign the declaration and the state government supported the idea after deaths related to dowry harassment provoked outrage earlier this year. The vice-chancellor M K Jayaraj said, " The governor put forward this suggestion and we accepted it immediately." He added that such an initiative will help raise awareness against dowry system in the state.

According to the daily, the declaration document states, "I aver in the full understanding that any breach of the rules or law relating to taking or abetting the taking of dowry shall render me liable for appropriate action including the cancellation of my admission to the university/not being granted degree/ withdrawal of the degree."

The declaration was welcomes by the students. K Reshma, a student leader told Hindustan Times that the authorities should ensured that the offenders are identified at the earliest and their degrees are cancelled.

Dowry Harassment Cases In Kerala:

Earlier this year, a 22-year-old woman named Vismaya V S who was Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery Student was found dead at her in-laws house in Kollam district. Her husband was later arrested for abetment of suicide and for harassing her over dowry.

The man was identified as Kiran Kumar. He used to work as a Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspector. He was sacked from his post after inquiry. The Kerala government has also made all its employees sign a declaration against dowry after several similar incidents were reported.

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