The entire community will be held accountable for any incidence of sati under new amendments being brought into the Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, which were cleared by a Group of Ministers on Friday

Imprisonment under the law has been increased to a minimum of three years, going up to 10 years, and the fine has been enhanced from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000

A woman is only liable for punishment under the new law if it can be proved that she was not forced into the act

The proposed amendment, likely to have far-reaching impact, hardens the law’s stand on glorification of women who have been driven to commit sati

This in particular is targeted at the societal pressure that forces women to commit sati under the illusion that they will be worshipped

When this law comes into effect, the village headman, pradhan or sarpanch and panchayat functionaries will also be made legally responsible

The amendments will now be sent to the Union Cabinet before being brought before Parliament