Sagar, Madhya Pradesh:
Mythology will have you know that even Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, had to walk on burning embers to prove her innocence. And Vandana is no Sita.
So there was no veneration when this tribal girl was ordered by a Panchayat to walk with a red-hot iron rod tied to her hand through her village in Madhya Pradesh. People jeered as she went through the
agni-pariksha (trial by fire) to prove that she was not guilty of the theft her neighbor accused her of.
Vandana cried through her ordeal of seven steps and a few minutes, but survived, "proving" to the villagers that she had not stolen. The neighbour had to pay a penalty and Vandana was richer by Rs 3000.
"I have proved my innocence beyond doubt by passing the test successfully. As a mark of respect for my integrity and honesty, I was rewarded 3000 rupees. It's an age-old tradition of delivering justice," Vandana said, seeming to take it all in her stride.
A village elder, Deeraj Adiwasi, explained: "Instead of going to the courts we follow our own age-old tradition. Since she had been accused of theft, the Panchayat ordered her to go through trial by fire."
No action has been taken against anyone yet, but the administration is now talking about spreading awareness.
Manoj Singh, Superintendent of Police, Sagar, said, "This custom is still prevalent as they remain uneducated. All attempt will be made to create awareness in the community."
But this is Khaurayee, a village in the heart of Madhya Pradesh, where changes take a long time in coming. Where a medieval social order prevails and the caste panchayat's diktat is above the law of the land.