i cannot say if present position is good,coz the menace has only increased.we keep saying that educated gals are themselves dowry but even gals of these parents aren't spared..
in many communities of india,dowry rates for the grooms are fixed.marriage expenses are fixed like rules...so even if the woman is educated,she gets no relief...(i personally know of such women who are engineers,doctors etc)..if u say they shud raise their voice...its not so easy...a gal even though educated has no say in marriage preparations,expenses,gifts to be given etc.....or else she'll be forced to remain a spinster if she objects.
the SC ruling u r talking of talks of death sentence to people who kill the bride...but many are illtreated without being killed...and wots their remedy??if they decide to fight it out,they are engaged in long legal battles amidst the corrupt judiciary.....so how's their position better?
even in cases of dowry deaths,if the evidence is lacking and boy's party know how to influence ....u know what happens and they are finally acquitted..
atleast in british time,people took sati laws seriously and dats y it got eradicated from the very roots...except recent v.rare sati incidents in few places
only if this menace was also brot to the notice of britishers.....................