Gold
How far would people go for money and riches? In a country, where our most sought possessions are the gold and silver in our cupboards, the stories are only too evident.
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Quite recently, in a string of carefully constructed murders spanning 14 years, Jolly Shaju, a seemingly innocent woman is being investigated by the Kerala State Crime Branch for allegedly killing 6 family members via cyanide laced food poisoning with the purpose of attaining their riches. Among the murdered were her mother-in-law, father-in-law, her husband and close relatives including a one-year-old child. (1)
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Datta Phuge - although his name may not be familiar, anyone can recognise the face of this man, infamously referred to as ‘gold man’, who had commissioned the manufacture of a gold shirt made out of 14,000 pieces of 22 carat gold, it’s worth estimated to be at a whopping 12.7 million rupees (equivalent to £135,000 approximately). (2) Unfortunately, Phuge came to a premature end when 12 assailants attacked him. His son had commented to the police that the motive might just have been money.(2)
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The dowry system is yet another notorious example of the deep-rooted traditions in India with respect to how much we value our riches. Interestingly, the tradition of the exchange of dowry dates back to the medieval era when the money was given to the groom’s family to allow the independence of the bride once married. (3) Although the practice of dowry has been banned since 1961, (3) India remains the epicentre of this practice. (4) The dowry system has given rise to genocide including infanticide, abuse of women, child marriages, maintenance of social inequality and discrimination against the poor and disabled.
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In a world where the financial system is built against the millions who live in India, even those surviving on meagre resources, still strive to invest in as much gold and other bullions. There is no doubt that India, perhaps more than any other country, is obsessed with the showcase of its wealth. While the glint of the yellow metal on jewellery and traditional wear showcases our rich and beautiful culture, we must also be wary of the dark that can prevail.
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By Clarris Paul
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Bibliography
1. Let truth come out, says son of Kerala woman held for killing 6 family members over 14 years [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/let-truth-come-out-says-son-of-kerala-woman-held-for-killing-6-family-members-over-14-years-1606758-2019-10-06
2. Indian businessman famed for $240,000 gold shirt “beaten to death” | World news | The Guardian [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/16/indian-businessman-famed-for-240000-gold-shirt-beaten-to-death
3. The Dowry System in India | Pulitzer Center [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 20]. Available from: https://pulitzercenter.org/projects/dowry-system-india-trend-changing
4. 9 Reasons Why Dowries Are Horrible for Women [Internet]. [cited 2020 Jun 20]. Available from: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/8-reasons-dowries-are-bad-for-women/