Sati: Blind faith ravages MP village

Chhatarpur, MP, Sep 23 (UNI) The superstition and blind faith pervading this district's Baniyani village, where a 95-year-old committed sati, reveals that awareness against this social evil is the need of the hour in rural areas.

'Sati' Karuiya Devi's 70-year-old friend Parvatia Lodhi, says in a Bundelkhandi dialect, ''Utai se chithhi likhne ki baat unhone humse kai hai (Karuiya has spoken to me from heaven and asked me to write letters to her).'' In hushed voices, the villagers admit that nobody prevented the sati from taking place.

Ten people, including Karuiya's four sons, have been arrested.

Despite the macabre incident, discussions are heard at a temple dedicated to Karuiya, whose daughter Satyan (35), granddaughter Gyanvati (20) and other family members claim they tried hard to stop her but in vain.

Villagers even say Karuiya had a ceremonial meal prior to her extreme step. Most of them are unaware that a law exists against sati and encouraging the practice attracts heavy punishment.

A youth who studied upto the higher secondary level says, ''There is a need for adopting scientific and rational methods in a campaign against such blind faith. Punishment and fear can repress blind faith but not eliminate it.'' Last Wednesday, Karuiya immolated herself on the pyre of her husband Siyaram Rajput. This was the second such incident within a month in Bundelkhand region.

UNI XC-AC AK VV1711