1 of 7

Write now Article Tools

Self-immolation after the death of a spouse would appear to most cultures as an incredibly barbaric practice, but in fact is a part of India's history.

"Sati" as it is called according to Hindu mythology began with a woman named Sati. She was the wife of Dakhsha who had died. So overcome by the grief of the passing of her husband, Sati self-immolated herself on her husband's funeral pyre. This is why this practice continues to be called "Sati". Another similar term is "Jauhar: which cam from the medieval period when Islamic armies attacked India. For fear of perversions that may be thrust on the Indian women by the opposing armies, there would be mass self-immolations by the women.

There is much controversy and division regarding the act of self-immolation. For feminists of India, glorification of Sati is considered a disgrace, but its history reflects that it was considered a noble act by a woman. Some believe that self-immolation by a widow allows for spiritual attainment.

One of the greatest implications of this practice and its high regard by some is that it indicates a level of status for women that does not reflect well on the society. It is as if a woman is nothing more that a part of her husband. Without the man she is dead too. It does not see a woman as an independent item of value. In fact it objectifies women as simply a possession of the man.

Much speculation abounds when discussing why self-immolation would be considered even as an option for a widowed woman. One reason that a widow would have considered this practice was that as a widow she was basically shunned. She was no longer able to participate in the daily housekeeping tasks as her touch and voice were considered unholy and impure.

As a result some of the tacits of this shunning may have included shaving the head, discarding jewelry, wearing simple garments, eating only one meal per day, as well as being excluded from any celebratory events such as weddings. So not only would a woman be suffering from the grief of losing her husband, she would also be a social and familial outcast. This probability may have seemed miserable enough to make the woman feel that being burned alive would be a kinder death.

Another aspect of this that encourages the oppression of women, is the belief that even a bride was burden. So if a young virginal bride was a burden to a family, a widow certainly would have been seen as a burden. Taboos in the culture made it nearly impossible for a widow to remarry as virginal brides were desired. For this reason a woman would permanently remain in this state of being a burden and shunning. The prospect of this would not bode optimistically for a happy life.

Much debate centers upon whether these women voluntarily self-immolate or whether they are forced to self-immolate. The practice was banned in 1829 but had to be banned again in 1956 due to a resurgence. In 1987 Roop Kanwas committed Sati. It received much public scrutiny and the press called it a Pagan sacrifice. Many accounts indicated that she was forced into the act while other indicated that she was at peace with the act. In 1987 another ordinance was passed that banned the practice.

The practice of self-immolation remains a part of the history of India. To most people is disregard for woman, that must not be allowed to occur in the future.

Sources consulted in the writing of this article include:
www.hindubooks.org
www. hinduismtoday.com
www.vivaaha.o rg
www.csuchico.edu

Learn more about this author, MJ Suttor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Self-immolation of a widow: India's best kept secret about women?
We want to hear your view. Write now!