There are examples when individuals took stand against these things.
Bantwa Memon community is famous (infamous) for this dowry. They have to give a home to their daughter in dowry and value of dowry depends on the prospect (profession, earning, etc) of groom. There is actually groom’s auction like situation in the community due to these practices. One of our colleague form Bantwa Memon family stood against this by saying that I’ve only one condition. The girl should follow purdah. His father told him that he should arrange for home himself, as he would not be able to provide him home because his sisters were yet to be married. Today, that guy has his own home, but I don’t know whether he will stand against dowry when his daughters are going to be married.