This is a very bad & wrong tradition / practice, especially when India presents itself as an "non-materialistic society", like the teaches of gurus / sadhus / yogis: "Give up on the material things to get the revelation / salvation / enlightenment...", but India is much more than that!

Dowry is pure materialism!

I've been living for three months in India, 3-4 years ago & I have seen big social differences...

Everything in this material dimension has its positive & negative side - dualism but above the material thing WE ARE ALL ONE & THERE IS NO DUALISM!!! OMMMMM...