India, Aug. 30 -- Dowry is a silent crime that continues to thrive in modern India, despite laws, awareness drives, and decades of reform. For many, it seems like a relic of a bygone era. In urban circles, the dismissive question often arises: "Who even takes dowry these days?"

Yet, the tragic murder of Nikki Bhati, allegedly killed over unmet dowry demands, is a stark reminder that this age-old evil remains very much alive. Nikki's case is not an isolated incident-it is part of a larger social malaise that continues to suffocate young women in silence, camouflaged as "tradition" and normalised by complicity. Until we confront it head-on, dowry will continue to claim lives.

Recognising the signs early

Dowry today even comes as a direct...