'Sad to see dowry still exists': Rajasthan groom returns Rs 5.5 lakh cash during wedding rituals

Rathore opined that it is up to the educated people to try and make a change in the society and every person has to start somewhere for it.

A groom in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer has been receiving praise after he returned Rs 5,51,000 cash which was gifted to him by his would-be in-laws.

According to a report by NDTV, Paramveer Rathore (30), who is a civil services aspirant, got married to Nikita Bhati on February 14 in the state's Karaliya village.

Rathore was welcomed in a grand gesture by Nikita's family when he arrived at the wedding venue on a mare, according to a North Indian Hindu wedding tradition.

According to the publication's report, Rathore's 'tilak ceremony' began soon after he got down from the mare's back and he was showered with gifts.

One such gifts that caught everyone's eye was a plate which was decorated with a red cloth and had Rs 5,51,000 in cash.

Seeing the plate containing cash, Rathore expressed that it made him sad that practices like dowry still exist in society.

He also said that though he could not reject the cash immediately, but later, he returned it after discussing it with his family.

The groom told the publication, "When they tried to offer me the money, I was sad to see that such (dowry) practices continue to exist in society. I could not immediately reject it, so I had to carry on with the rituals. I spoke to my father and other family members and said we must return the money."

"I am a civil services aspirant, and I have studied a lot, so I felt if educated people don't make a change, then who will. We must set an example. My parents agreed and supported me. I also have a sister. If we do not put an end to these malpractices, then how will we bring about a change in society? Each of us has to start somewhere," Rathore added.

Rathore opined that it is up to educated people to try and make a change in the society, and every person has to start somewhere for it. According to NDTV, he said, "It will not happen all of a sudden, but we have to start somewhere."

Ishwar Singh, Rathore's father who is a farmer, also said, "Today, women are representing the country in every field. That is why we were unable to accept the cash. I accepted just one coconut and a one-rupee coin as part of the rituals. We returned all the money. We must stop this practice of dowry."

After the wedding, Rathore, along with his newly wedded wife who is a post graduate student, returned to his village Pali.

According to the report, Bhawani Singh Bhati, one of Nikita's relatives said, "The baraat that came from Pali has set an example. They were offered Rs 5,51,000 but by refusing to accept it, they have sent across a message to society that we must stop such feudal practices."