New Delhi: A Bengaluru woman has made a shocking revelation, stating that a man who topped at the coveted All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) demanded a dowry of Rs 50 crore from her friend.
The woman who claimed this uses the handle Dr Phoenix on social platforms. She said that her friend had been in tears ever since she learned about the demand for dowry. The incident shows how common and accepted the illegal practice of dowry still is in India today.
Dr Phoenix, without naming her friend, added that talks for marriage were in progress between her friend and a man who got the first rank in the AIIMS entrance for MCh in Urology. She said that her friend is also a doctor, currently undergoing an MD in Anesthesia and pursuing further specialisation through a fellowship in liver transplant anesthesia in Hyderabad.
‘Have some shame will you’
Taking to X, she wrote: “So AIIMS rank 1 Uro MCh is asking 50 crores dowry from my friend who is doing MD Anaesthesia and Fellow in liver transplant anaesthesia in Hyderabad.” She added: “Have some shame will you,” and questioned what’s the meaning of this education if a doctor does not have the courage to stand on his own feet.
Dr Phoenix said that her friend had been in tears for hours as Rs 50 crore would mean savings of her parents’ entire life. Her parents, in the meantime, had come to terms with the notion that marrying into the Telugu community would entail a huge dowry.
“Been on call with the poor thing since morning crying because her parents say it’s a given that marrying her off in Telugu community requires dowry and her parents entire retirement savings. She has a younger sister – this dowry during her time too,” Dr Phoenix wrote.
‘Money can’t buy class’
A number of other X users shared their personal experiences about dowry demand, and many lambasted the doctor for his demands.
“This is nauseating to read. The guy is a low life,” one user reacted. Another wrote, “If true, demanding a 50 crore ‘dowry’ not only reflects failure of society and medicine but also shows his complete disregard for basic maths and economics. What a stupid individual. Clearly, money can’t buy class.”
A few people showed skepticism about the story’s authenticity, while others sought to justify the demand.
An X user said: “While I agree dowry is wrong , why aren’t we considering the difference in branch. Mbbs girls are demanding MD boys. MD girls are demanding DM girls. Don’t you fume when you see this? Reverse dowry is also bad.”
Yet another user pointed out: “I am sorry to say this but the girl and parents need to stand up and say no…The girl is educated enough to earn on her own and have her own standing in the world. At some point, marriage as an institution needs to be brought to it’s place of pedestal that we put…”