HISTORY BEHIND THE ORIGIN AND ABOLITION OF SATI SYSTEM IN INDIA
Introduction:
Sati or Suttee or Su-thi literally means a good woman, a good wife, or a virtuous woman. The status of widows in many societies has been deplorable and Indian society was among those many societies where a status of a widow was precarious because the death of the husband had a direct impact on her economic well-being.
History has witnessed the burning or burying of widows with their deceased husbands in various places of the world including India. However, the Sati system which was prevalent in India was highly debated time and again as this tradition displayed two contradictory pictures of a woman’s position under the Hindu tradition.
On one hand, Sati was portrayed as a cultural opportunity given to a woman to pursue the highest cultural and religious accomplishment within the society. While on the other hand this tradition portrayed cultural barbarism and oppression of women. In India the tradition was highly prevalent among the Brahmins of Bengal, the Rajputs of Rajasthan and the Deorala in the Sikar district.
Origin:
As per mythology, Sati was not a widow and she did not immolate herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. It is said that Sati was the daughter of Daksha who was the son of Brahma. Once Daksha wanted to perform a grand sacrificial ceremony but he did not invite his son-in-law as he desired to humiliate him. Outraged by the insult Sati invoked a fire and was reduced to ashes. Giving up of her body in the fire was later on defined as a divine example of wifely devotion.
It was thereafter interpreted that if a woman gives up her body by burning she deserved to be venerated and honoured.
Prevalence of Sati in India:
Sati system in India is said to have its traces back in the 4th century BC. However, the evidence of the practice is traced between the 5th and 9th centuries AD when widows of the Kings performed this sacrifice.
Jauhar was among one of the most prevalent practices in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This practice has often been referred to as collective suicide by the historians. Jauhar was the collective suicide of the widows who preferred to die rather than being captured alive and dishonored by Muslim soldiers who were victorious in war.
However, this system was witnessed only during the Hindu-Muslim wars. The traces of Sati system in Sikhs can be traced from the time when the wives and concubines of the founder of Sikh empire Ranjit Singh committed Sati when Ranjit Singh died in 1839.
During the British rule in India, the practice of Sati was tolerated earlier. It is recorded that the colonial government officials attended Sati proceedings which as a result depicted that Sati had been officially sanctioned. Not only was it interpreted that the Sati system was approved by the then British government but it gained prestige as the officials attended the proceedings.
Abolition of Sati in India:
Various campaigns were initiated against the Sati practice by various Christian missionaries. However, Raja Ram Mohan Roy is said to be the man behind the abolition of this social evil. In the year 1829 Sati was banned for the first time by the Bengal Provincial government which was later on followed by other provinces and princely states. Queen Victoria in the year 1861 imposed a general ban on the Sati practice in India.
Presently The Commission of Sati Prevention Act, 1987 is in force. This Act seeks to prevent the Sati Practice within the territory of India. The Act prohibits the forced as well as voluntary burning or burying alive of a widow and also prohibits the glorification of Sati. Famous Supreme Court lawyers and the top lawyers in India often refer to various legislations like The Commission of Sati Prevention Act and explain how these legislations have helped in the development of the Country.
Supreme Court lawyers are found saying that a need still exists to enact legislations which would curb various social evils at the grass root level so that development is witnessed among all strata.
The Act defines Sati as the burning or burying alive of any widow along with the body of her deceased husband or any other relative or with any article, object or thing associated with the husband or such a relative. Or the burning or burying alive of a woman along with the body of her relatives, irrespective of whether such burning or burying is claimed to be voluntary on the part of the widow or the woman or otherwise.
The commission of Sati involves 3 stages:
- Burning of the woman
- Glorification of the Act
- Establishment of a temple dedicated to the Sati
This Act has made an attempt to commit Sati punishable with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to 1 year or with fine or with both and those who are involved in the practice or merely sightseeing shall be punished with an imprisonment of life. Glorification of Sati has been made punishable with an imprisonment of 7 years along with fine.
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