Mangalore: 'Youth Against Dowry' Signature Campaign Gets Good Response

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Apr 13: 'Youth Against Dowry', a forum formed by young people of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi to fight against the evil of dowry, on Friday April 13 held a signature campaign to gather support for their cause.

The campaign saw hundreds of people from the Muslim community signing their names on huge banner after the Friday afternoon prayers at Idgah, Light House here. The members of the forum also held placards against the menace.

Addressing the gathering, president of the forum Farhan Mohammed who flagged off the campaign spoke on the evils of dowry and explained the purpose of the campaign. He stressed on the need to eradicate dowry system from each home and promote peaceful existence in families.

Speaking to Daijiworld, Abdul Hameed, a member of the forum, said that the number of dowry cases in DK and Udupi districts has been increasing of late. "Families are facing lots of problems. This evil even brings some of the families to the road, as they are not able to afford dowry. Hence, the youth of the two districts have decided to join hands to try and eradicate dowry altogether."

He further said, "We will go to every nook and corner and spread awareness on the need to abolish dowry system. We will educate our youth and the families and urge them not to demand or take dowry. We want to tackle this problem on the individual level and make the society free from dowry system."

Asked what would be the next step after the signature campaign, he said, "We will show these signatures to the Qazis of DK and Udupi and also our community leaders and others. We will also urge all the jamaths to tell their people not to accept or demand dowry."

The campaign has received rousing response from the community. Hameed said that hundreds of people sent them SMS and called them to support their cause, and many more signed the banner on Friday. "We have got positive response, which has encouraged us to take our movement forward," he added.

Among those who signed the banner were community leaders like Moideen Bava and others.