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In a 36-year-old case of Sati glorification from Diwarlala village in Rajasthan, the court has acquitted the remaining eight accused. The case pertains to the glorification of the Sati practice following the death of 18-year-old Roop Kanwar, who burned herself on her husband’s funeral pyre on September 4, 1987. The Sati incident drew national and global attention as it was the last known case of Sati in India, a practice banned in 1829.
The Sati Incident:
Roop Kanwar, 18, was the youngest daughter of Bal Singh Rathore, a businessman from Jaipur. She was married to Mal Singh of Diwarlala village in Sikar district on January 17, 1987. On September 3, 1987, Mal Singh suddenly developed stomach pain and died the next day. Following his death, Roop Kanwar was burned alive on his funeral pyre, an event that shocked the nation.
According to local accounts, there was significant pressure on Roop to commit Sati, although villagers claimed she did it willingly. Despite the 1829 ban on Sati, the incident led to widespread debates and outrage over the revival of this archaic practice.
Glorification of Sati:
Following Roop Kanwar’s Sati, a “Chunari Mahotsav” (Scarf Festival) was held at the site on September 16, 1987, where thousands gathered. A year later, on Roop’s first death anniversary, a large procession was organized, glorifying her act of Sati. This event led to a police case against 45 individuals involved in promoting Sati.
Legal Proceedings:
Of the 45 accused, 25 were acquitted in 2004, and the remaining eight were acquitted this week. Four accused remain absconding, while others have passed away. On Wednesday, the Jaipur Sati Prevention Special Court acquitted the remaining accused due to a lack of evidence. The court cited that under Section 123(3) of the Sati Prevention Act, glorifying the practice requires proven evidence that Sati occurred. However, the police failed to mention any evidence of the actual event of Sati in their charge sheet.
Additionally, the witnesses and police officers involved in the case were unable to identify the accused. As a result, all were acquitted due to lack of concrete proof.
Chunari Festival and High Court Intervention:
Despite a ban by the Rajasthan High Court, the Rajput community went ahead with the Chunari Festival in Diwarlala on September 16, 1987, attracting over 100,000 people. The High Court had earlier taken action after receiving letters from activists and lawyers, ruling that the festival was a glorification of Sati, which violated the law.
Even though the High Court had prohibited the event, it went ahead with many political leaders in attendance. The glorification of Sati continued, and in 1988, the Rajput community organized another procession on Roop Kanwar’s first death anniversary. The police filed cases against 45 individuals for promoting Sati, with allegations of chanting slogans and displaying images of Roop Kanwar.
Sati in Rajasthan:
Roop Kanwar’s case was the last in a series of 29 reported Sati incidents in Rajasthan after India’s independence. The global outrage over her death led to the creation of a special court in Jaipur for the speedy trial of Sati cases. The 1987 incident remains infamous, bringing international shame to India and pushing for stricter enforcement of Sati prohibition laws.
This week’s court decision marks the end of a decades-long legal battle over the glorification of Sati. However, it also highlights the challenges of prosecuting such cases, particularly when they involve deep-rooted traditions and beliefs.
The acquittal of the accused individuals closes a controversial chapter in India’s history, but the Roop Kanwar case remains a tragic reminder of the dangers of blind tradition and the need for continued vigilance against harmful practices.
