In remote areas of Rajasthan, a disturbing practice called Mautana (मौताणा) still haunts families and communities. Rooted in the age-old demand for justice, Mautana involves placing a deceased body in front of a suspected culprit’s home and demanding financial compensation. Originally practiced by indigenous tribal communities, this custom has morphed from a plea for justice into a tool for financial compensation, often driven by fear and collective pressure.
Despite legislation like the “The Rajasthan Honour of Dead Body Act, 2023” intended to curb this practice, recent incidents highlight its persistent grip on society. This act was enacted to address and curtail the misuse of deceased bodies for protests or financial demands, a practice reminiscent of the old custom of Mautana. Passed on July 20, 2023, this act ensures dignity in death by prohibiting public protests with dead bodies and mandating timely last rites in alignment with cultural traditions. Violations include penalties such as imprisonment for up to five years and fines.
The Dr. Archana Sharma Tragedy: A Case in Point
In 2022, Dr. Archana Sharma, a gynecologist in Dausa, Rajasthan, became a tragic symbol of how Mautana-like demands can affect healthcare professionals. Dr. Sharma was accused of medical negligence following a patient’s death due to severe complications. Under extreme public pressure, driven by grief and anger, the deceased’s family demanded compensation. Feeling cornered and vilified, Dr. Sharma took her own life, leaving behind a note pleading for the end of the public’s misunderstanding of medical procedures and accidents.
This incident shook Rajasthan’s medical community, raising awareness of the consequences when emotional reactions bypass legal protections and processes. Dr. Sharma’s death prompted significant protests from doctors, who called for safer and fairer environments to practice medicine without fear of mob backlash.
Jeevan Rekha Hospital: A Disturbing Reminder
Just recently, another incident at Jaipur’s Jeevan Rekha Hospital underscored how deeply Mautana-like practices are embedded in society. An advocate’s unexpected death during treatment led to a mob of around 300-400 people storming the hospital, allegedly vandalizing property and demanding compensation of INR 26 lakh. Faced with fear for staff safety and the inability to rely on police intervention, hospital management was pressured to pay the amount. The question remains: should healthcare providers be forced into settlements under duress, outside the judicial system?
A Social Question: Why Do We Still Permit Mautana?
Despite efforts to abolish Mautana and protect professionals, incidents like these show that the tradition persists in new forms, especially within rural and semi-urban areas. When people believe they can pressure others into compensatory payments, it perpetuates a cycle of fear and undermines the legal processes meant to address grievances fairly.
Reflecting on the Path Forward
The persistence of Mautana in a modern society raises challenging questions:
- Can we, as a society, evolve beyond practices that exploit grief for financial gain?
- How can legal protections be strengthened so that professionals, especially in sensitive fields like healthcare, are not forced into submission by mob-driven demands?
- What steps are necessary to ensure that the lives and careers of well-meaning professionals are not put at risk in a bid to provide meaningful services?
Until these questions are addressed, the legacy of Mautana may continue to resurface, casting a shadow over the justice and protection we aspire to in a civilized society.