After the Vaishnavi Hagavane case, Shivsena will announce an anti-dowry helpline

In the wake of the Vaishnavi Hagavane case, which has sparked widespread outrage across Maharashtra, Shivsena has announced a decisive move against the social evil of dowry. The party is set to launch a dedicated anti-dowry helpline aimed at supporting victims and cracking down on those demanding dowry.

As part of this initiative, the identity of women who file complaints through the helpline will be kept completely confidential, ensuring safety and privacy. The party believes this step will empower more women to come forward without fear of social backlash or reprisal.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) workers had staged anti-dowry awareness drives in cities like Mumbai and Pune, holding up provocative banners with slogans such as “Report the Dowry Taker, Get ₹5,000!”. These campaigns had sparked intense public debate and brought the dowry issue back into social and political discourse.

The proposed helpline and public outreach efforts are part of Shivsena’s broader strategy to raise awareness and combat the entrenched practice of dowry, which continues to affect many women across the state. The party hopes that strong action and public engagement will lead to a change in social mindset and encourage zero tolerance for dowry-related harassment.