After Vaishnavi Hagawane’s dowry death, the Maratha community enforced a strict wedding code: no dowry, simple ceremonies, shared expenses, and social boycott of dowry-takers to prevent further tragedies.
Anshu Kashid
Pune| 05 June, 2025: The tragic death of Vaishnavi Hagawane, a married woman from Pune, due to alleged dowry harassment, has sparked outrage across Maharashtra. Similar dowry-related deaths from other parts of the state are also coming to light, prompting social organizations to take a firm stand. In response, the Maratha community convened a second major meeting in Pune, where extensive discussions were held on eliminating dowry, reducing wedding expenses, and tackling social issues tied to marriage customs.
The outcome: a new code of conduct aimed at transforming how weddings are celebrated. The key decisions include completely abolishing the dowry system, preventing harassment of women, and ensuring simple, disciplined, and low-cost wedding ceremonies.
One of the most significant resolutions was the social boycott of families that demand or accept dowry. The community agreed that no ‘roti-beti’ (marriage or social ties) relations will be maintained with such families. In cases of domestic abuse or dowry harassment, the woman’s family is expected to firmly stand by her side.
The community also resolved to avoid flashy displays such as DJs, firecrackers, and pre-wedding shoots. Weddings should involve minimal guests, be conducted on time, and without extravagant rituals. Both the bride’s and groom’s families are to share the wedding expenses equally, and any saved funds should be invested in fixed deposits for the couple or used to help the needy.
Collective marriages were strongly encouraged, and only one speech in the form of a blessing will be allowed at the ceremony. Traditional public honor systems (like “manpaan”) will be kept within close family limits.
This socially progressive code is seen as a direct response to growing concerns over materialism, dowry violence, and rising wedding costs—issues that have become normalized, often with tragic consequences.
Whether these resolutions lead to actual social reform remains to be seen, but they signal a strong, unified push by the Maratha community to take responsibility and act decisively in preventing further tragedies like Vaishnavi’s.
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