The National Council of Women Against the Practice of Burning Women at the Funeral Pyre Called Sati
Previously published in Examiner
Conclusion of the Sati women burning at the funeral pyre series
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 lose their lives yearly due to this barbaric heinous act. Montreal activists and activists all over the world lobby to put pressure on the Indian government to protect the lives of these innocent women from burning alive.
Sati is not a form of religious practice according to some scholars
On the other hand, many argue that the Vedas actually condemned the practice of Sati referring to it as a form of suicide. Modern India has tried various measures to suppress Sati: They forbid anyone to stand by and watch a Sati making their passivity out to be part of the problem. Anyone having any actual part in the ceremony is held accountable. They have also tried to ban the glorification of the dead woman by forbidding shrines and pilgrimages to the funeral pyre site.
The Law is ineffective
The Rajasthan Sati Prevention Ordinance of 1987, was passed to insure the end of this ancient ritual. The problem is the law is not constant, and the practice still goes on. The National Council of Women has suggested amendments to the law to eradicate some of its flaws. However, controversy about prohibition of shrines etc, still remains controversial and far from being solved.
India is a beautiful country with a magnificent culture and traditions, but it must also enter the modern world and adhere to modern values. More should be done by the Indian Government to make the transition understood by all peoples of India, from the great cultural centers to the rural areas as well.
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 sources for Indian Women in Montreal
Source
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_%28practice%29http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5273336.stm
http://www.kamat.com/kalranga/hindu/sati.htm
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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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14 Comments
Post a CommentI deplore the way some countries treat women. It is barbaric to say the least.
Let us hope and pray this practice ends soon.
An excellent report, very well researched. Thanks!
I became friends with several Indian families over my 33 years at my job. I generally would speak with the males of the family. In fact, remembering back, I never spoke directly to the females. They would come intot he office with their husbands, but the male was always the person who spoke, made the decisions and conducted business.
good article - we need to be reminded now and then that a great deal of the male population of the world considers women and children worthless.
Thanks for writing on this so that we can pray for India! I had no idea such things were still being practiced. This is truly sad and breaks my heart!!! I once had a beautiful Indian neighbor who came to America to get away from India's abusive "Cass System!" Not sure of the spelling! This article makes me think of her. She was my best friend and I never met a more loving person!
Very sad.
Is this so the woman goes to heaven with her husband?
Interesting article, Carol.
I agree with Michele, very interesting... :o)