Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi has asked Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to block a website which claims to calculate the dowry amount for grooms and take action against its developers.
Ms. Gandhi on Thursday wrote a letter in this regard to her cabinet colleague Mr. Prasad, saying the website should be blocked as it promotes seeking dowry by men.
She said that it has been brought to her notice that there is a website www.dowrycalculator.com that suggests a dowry amount a potential groom can expect to get after considering parameters like his caste, qualification, profession, income etc.
Ms. Gandhi said in her letter this was not only shameful but also illegal as it promoted dowry.
“I request you to have this site blocked immediately and initiate action against the owners/developers of the website and the agency which is hosting this website,” the Minister said.
She further mentioned that she has asked the Secretary in the ministry of WCD to initiate proceedings under the Dowry Prohibition Act in this matter. The practice of dowry is a punishable offence in India.
The website, which have been seen by some on social media networks as a satirical take on the practice of dowry, says it is “dedicated to all the matchmaking aunties of India.”
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