Sati the Practice of Burning Indian Women Alive
Previously published in Examiner
Part 1 Sati, burning at the funeral pyre
Most Montrealers think that burning Indian women to death is an archaic practice that no longer exists in India. The horrible practice is still going on in some areas even though the practice is outlawed. Many women still loose their lives yearly due to this barbaric heinous act. Montreal activists and activist all over the world lobby to put pressure on the Indian government to protect the lives of these innocent women from burning alive.
What is Sati?
Sati is the practice in some rural communities in India where a recently widowed woman sacrifices her life by falling on her deceased husband's funeral pyre. Sometimes she does so willingly in respect for her dearly departed and sometimes she is made to do it by force. This practice is an ancient practice and is against the law in India today. Yet, there are still pockets of communities across the land that practices this rather heinous act.
Note: For those of you who know this Montreal examiner as a person and a writer, you know that I respect culture and tradition around the world, but not to the extent that innocent lives are taken.
Modern India has recognized that such funeral practices are not in the best interest of the community or the people, and especially not to the women who become the victims. Yet some people still cling to the old ways.
How did the practice of Sati originate?
The practice of Sati originated from the Goddess Sati, also known as Dakshayani who sacrificed herself by fire because she could not bare the shame that was bestowed upon her husband Shiva, by her very own father, Daksha. Though a desperate act by a desperate woman, or more correctly a Goddess, why should this symbol of devotion or desperate act of love or grieving be the legacy of all Indian women throughout time?
For help with domestic violence and other Hindu women's issues in Montreal, there is:
SAW Community Center: one of Canada's oldest surviving South Asian women's groups, helps victims of domestic violence. 1035 Rachel, 3rd Floor, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2J 2J5. (514) 528-8812, fax (514) 528-0896. Email: sawcc@cam.org
Click here for additional resources for Indian Women in Montreal
Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_%28practice%29http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5273336.stm
Published by Carol Roach
Carol Roach holds a masters in counselling psychology. She worked as a therapist at the Douglas Hospital in Montreal before becoming a professional writer.Carol is the author of the book Picking Up The Piece... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentThis is tragic - good work on bringing it up.
Terrible indeed. Thank you for shedding light on this.
Unbelievable that this still goes on in the 21st century...
I am speechless. To think in this day and time these practices still occur. Thanks Carol.
My goodness, sounds like the witch trials in Salem!!! cheers
My heart breaks for these women, thanks for bringing this to our attention. This has to stop how horrific for these young women so so sad.
Thanks for explaining what a Sati is! Can't imagine doing this.