The Boston Globe reported 11,259 burnings from 1988 to 1990. CBS re-ran the segment on January 25, 1993. Statistics collected in India show an increase of these figures. Unfortunately, the social, political and administrative leaders in India seem uninterested. Characteristically, their first reaction is to deny the tragedy, minimize its gravity and stereotype it as a media propaganda.
People seem to feel no guilt when they burn a bride.
The root of this strange behavior is not clearly understood. To raise consciousness in India would require a national shock treatment. International condemnation is likely to start that shock, because the people of India still place great value on world opinion. The Conference will platform a worldwide protest against this evil practice and will analyze how India, seat of a great and ancient civilization, could fall into moral decadence of such a magnitude. The solution of the problem may be found in the ancient Dharma texts themselves and in spiritual wisdom of India's own philosophy.