Sati Practice: Historical Context and Modern Legislation Against Sati

Sati Practice: In a recent judgment, eight individuals were acquitted of charges related to constructing temples in honor of Roop Kanwar, a woman who committed Sati on September 4, 1987, in Rajasthan. These temples allegedly promoted Sati by venerating Kanwar, an act that drew intense public outcry and led to widespread calls for social reform.

The case serves as a reminder of the grim historical practice of Sati, which entails a widow self immolating on her husband’s pyre. The practice’s revival or glorification has been strictly prohibited under Indian law, specifically through the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act of 1987. Enacted by the Union government in the same year as Kanwar’s death, this law aims to prohibit not only the act of Sati but also the exaltation or commemoration of such incidents, including through memorial temples or gatherings.

The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act outlines stringent punishments, including imprisonment and fines, for individuals involved in promoting or glorifying Sati. The act reflects the government’s commitment to eradicating the practice and discouraging any reverence associated with it, underscoring the need to uphold women’s rights and combat harmful traditions.

History and Significance of the Sati Practice

Sati was an ancient Hindu practice where a widow would self-immolate on her husband’s funeral pyre, often out of perceived devotion or social pressure. Though rare, it was considered the ultimate act of female loyalty and devotion in some communities. The practice has roots in the early medieval period, with references found in historical and religious texts. Sati is often associated with patriarchal values and social structures that restricted women’s roles in society, and it was particularly prevalent in parts of Rajasthan, Bengal, and central India.

Origin, Decline, and Efforts to Abolish Sati

The earliest recorded instances of Sati are from around the 4th century BCE, although it gained prominence during the medieval period, especially in parts of northwestern and central India. The practice was more prevalent among certain warrior and high-caste communities. Efforts to stop Sati began in earnest during the British colonial period, with growing pressure from Indian reformers and British officials. Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy vehemently opposed Sati, viewing it as a symbol of female oppression.

He founded the Brahmo Samaj and launched campaigns against the practice, gathering support from both Indian and British communities. The practice of Sati was officially banned in 1829 by Lord William Bentinck, the then-Governor General of India, in response to increasing outrage. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s advocacy played a critical role in influencing Bentinck’s decision. Bentinck’s regulation declared Sati illegal and punishable, aiming to curb its incidence through legal means.

Legislation Against Sati and Legal Provisions

The Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829 (Regulation XVII) was the legislation that formally abolished Sati in British-controlled territories in India. It stated that participation in or abetting the act of Sati would be a criminal offense, punishable by law. This regulation extended to British India, though it faced resistance in some princely states and remote regions where British influence was weaker.

In independent India, after a high-profile Sati case in 1987 involving Roop Kanwar in Rajasthan, the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 was enacted. This law not only criminalized the act but also penalized the glorification or promotion of Sati. Under the Act, anyone who attempts, abets, or glorifies Sati is subject to imprisonment ranging from one year to life, along with fines, ensuring stricter enforcement against the practice.

Temples and Shrines in Honor of Roop Kanwar

The Roop Kanwar case, in which an 18-year-old woman performed Sati in 1987, sparked widespread national and international condemnation. Following her death, some local supporters viewed her as a deity, and temples were established in her honor. The glorification of her act, however, was strictly condemned by legal authorities and social activists.

Estimates suggest there are around 250 Sati temples across India, with many concentrated in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and certain parts of Gujarat and West Bengal. These temples often honor women who performed Sati, including Roop Kanwar. However, the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987 makes it illegal to glorify Sati, and as such, these temples cannot legally promote or celebrate the practice.

Key Locations of Sati Temples

1. Rajasthan: Numerous shrines and temples in Rajasthan, particularly in the towns around Jaipur, commemorate Sati, including a few in honor of Roop Kanwar.

2. Madhya Pradesh: Known for temples that honor local women who performed Sati, particularly in areas with Rajput and warrior castes.

3. Gujarat and West Bengal: Some temples and shrines honor women considered martyrs through the act of Sati, though they are fewer in number compared to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.