I take exception to Mr. Sengupta's comment " But I cannot accept ....Or that Sati is a good thing". Talking of Sati and Burkha in the same breath as if Sati is supported equally today ! A columnist of that stature making a blanket statement that implies Hindus support Sati in this day and age !! I am 48 years old , have lived in South India for 25 years, have met many Hindus urban, rural, modern, traditional and orthodox (yes, even very orthodox brahmins!) all my life and I have never, ever come across anyone who supports Sati. In fact, it is abhorred by the majority. From our parents accounts, it was abhorred or not supported since the beginning of the 20th century. The instances I have read of Sati now are in very few remote areas of Rajasthan. Please practice responsible journalism before you paint a picture that maligns a whole community. There is a tendency among quite a few Indian journalists to condemn Hindu and Indian cultures by painting an incorrect picture of the society as in this case. Whenever I read such articles, the motive of the journalists seems to be to show that they are superior by showing the rest of the society to be worse than what it really is!
RE:Who supports Sati now, pray tell me !!!
by Thomas Sarasam on Aug 27, 2005 03:50 PM Permalink
yea, it isnt supported, but one cant deny that it never happens, my inner circle of friends consists of muslim girls and hindus, and they are not supportive of this and to be true they are comfortable in Jeans and Ts than in burquas I think Mr Sengupta was just giving an example... God bless you thomas
RE:Who supports Sati now, pray tell me !!!
by bhupi on Aug 27, 2005 08:36 PM Permalink
The columnist is using the argument just by using the issues of sati and brahmins.There is nothing wrong with assuming that brahmins were considered superiors.It is because in earlier times they wre tasked with preservation of the society,its moral base etc.In fact the very word brahmin neans "an enlightened person".It is because of the inherent weakness of the system which exists in any system the brahmin became synonymous with a particular person and its use became hereditary.In must accept the fact that brahmins have done a wonerful job for the society-they were the teachers,knowledge custodians etc.The pracice of sati came into existance because of the paculiar circumstances which existed at that time.It may appear cruel now but it was the means adopted to save the honour.To justify this practice now is wrong.Yes sati is worshopped even now because they laid their life at that time to safeguard the honour.Do not we honour our heros?Those who sacrifice for the sake of the society are the honoured lot.But to indulge in this practice today is not acceptable.I have travelled almost through out the country but I am yet to come across any one even a hindu by faith who subscribe
RE:Who supports Sati now, pray tell me !!!
by Democrazy on Aug 29, 2005 12:37 PM Permalink
Mr Musharraf, do not hoodwink everyone. Bandra west is famous. The traffic is not allowed to ply outside the station every friday afternoon. Why? Are yall special people? Or is everybody watching Osama tapes inside and that needs pin drop silence. What about the places like Mahim, Nagpada, Mumbai Central, JJ? Hoo boy! I can go on like this.
And Mr Prasad, well you are right. But hold on. I firmly believe in live and let live. So you want to pray, pray, but in some confines and no loudspeakers. ITs navratri.., you want to dance? Dance. But no music after 10 pm. Bottomline:do anything you want, but dont disturb or trouble others.
RE:Who supports Sati now, pray tell me !!!
by partha biswas on Aug 27, 2005 12:05 PM Permalink
Hey you live in South India,I have NO idea which caste you belong to,but dont you READ newspapers, listen to News,or know anything of History?Sati HAS been a HIGHLY idolised matter in Hindu heartland, especially Rajastan and MP,where even as of TODAY the government is trying to eulogise the same.That is what Mr.Sengupta is trying to mention.Are you aware that SATI temples EXIST,where believers GO and Pray?Like the Burkha it exists, and THAT is what we have to change.And yes Mr.Sengupta everyone IS SECULAR as long as it doesnot interfere with HIS religion.And religion is VERY selfish.But thank the creator for LITTLE mercies.I can walk into a Church with my shoes on,though I am a Hindu,but I CANT do that in a temple,however dirty it is,nor a Gurdwara, however clean it be,and I have NO IDEA what an operative Mosque looks like from inside.What I am trying to say is unless and until we ALL have equal access to each others religious abode,in whatever attire we are in, there CANNOT be peace,be it mental,physical or spiritual.Secularism is not a FAR cry.It can be done.But do we want to be selfless? No.We can only hope for a Deluge, and new life on earth in the next Million years.
RE:Who supports Sati now, pray tell me !!!
by din on Aug 27, 2005 05:24 AM Permalink
forgive mr.Sagar mentioning SAti.It is the usual practice of secularists to juxtapose Muslim fundamentalism against Hindu fundamentalism.They will pitt Jinnah vs Savarkar,Muslim League vs Hindu mahasabha to show that they r neutral.Barring this tendency it is a great article.Sagar has courage. Din
