Crores join hands, back Nitish Kumar’s anti-dowry campaign

Nearly four crore of the Bihar’s 11 crore population stood hand in hand on Sunday, forming a human chain that stretched almost 14,000 kms across the length and breadth of the state in support of eradication of dowry and child marriage, a social awareness campaign launched by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on October 2 last year.

The chain commenced with CM Nitish, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi and their cabinet colleagues and senior bureaucrats at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan, where it was in shape of Bihar’s map. Nitish released balloons with the slogan ‘Na Dahej Na Baal Vivah’ to mark the commencement of the event at 12 noon. From here, four branches of the chain were taken out in four different directions extending on the national and state highways and other sub-routes in the 38 districts of the state.

Speaking to media after the 30-minute event, Nitish said the campaign to stop dowry and child marriage will continue. “This is just a manifestation of people’s resolve and I am satisfied at the response,” he said and added that he will also review how fruitful the campaign has been.

On January 21 last year, a similar human chain of 11,500 km in length and comprising 3.11 crore people was formed in Bihar in support of prohibition and de-addiction.

“The official figures on participants will be available only by Monday as data from the panchayat level has to be collected,” said a top official.