I appreciate the fact that Justice Verma report came out on
time. I also like the fact that suggestions were invited from people while
drafting this report. What I don’t appreciate is the exclusion of capital
punishment as an option for sexual crimes. This is why I feel capital
punishment should also be applied to sexual crimes:-
Lack of Fear
India has always followed a ‘calm’ approach towards its
judicial plans and policies however its this approach that has made a mockery
of the entire judicial system. If people were so scared of imprisonment, they
wouldn’t commit rapes the way they are committing these days. Yes, late
implementation has a lot to do with this. The system wouldn’t change overnight,
so unless you announce a trigger like this, people will just continue to play
with women as if they are toys. Really, that’s what it feels like now – as if
the women in this country are mere objects or toys whom men pick up or attack
anywhere, rape and throw away.
Affect on the Victim
Rape is a heinous crime. While it may not always kill a
woman, it definitely kills a part of her persona for all time. Sex is still
taboo in this country, people just make caustic comments without thinking. Politicians,
police officials, famous personalities have been known to come up with the most
ridiculous yet hurtful comments that tarnish the victim’s character,
personality and intelligence. And these are famous people, imagine the kind of
venom that others can spew. A victim has to face all this apart from the crime
that she underwent. Its not easy, it may take a substantial amount of time for
her to recover and re-build herself, sometimes she wouldn’t be able to get
there at all.
More importantly, the victim who is reduced to a vegetative
state like Aruna Shanbaug or a victim who dies due the crime like Nirbhaya or a victim who is raped and
murdered like Nayana Pujari
– where is the justice for these women if the person(s) who destroyed their
lives get only life imprisonment?
Taxpayer’s Burden
Jail is run on taxpayer’s money. Why should a tax payer pay
for a rapist? Rape just does not violate a woman’s body, it destroys a part of
her, a part of their lives – who are connected to her, and largely it destroys
culture and society. Everytime a woman is raped in this country, someone’s
mother, wife, sister or child is violated. Somewhere the religious values of
equating women with Goddesses and Ethereal beings are destroyed. Somewhere a
part of the culture and societal norms that constitute this nation are broken
down. Why, should a tax payer pay for the upkeep of the perpetrator of
destruction on so many levels?
I also do not support the juvenile argument. What is ‘under-age’
got to do with raping a women and then inserting rods in her? Infact, if the
perpetrator could commit an ‘adult crime’ then he should be tried and subjected
to ‘adult punishment’. That’s how justice should be meted out.
Today is National Girl Child Day. Lets make it a happy one
and pledge to bring about changes that ensure a better future for the girls of
this country. Rape is just one part of the story, overall, lets vote for
stronger laws and bring about changes within ourselves that let the girls and
women of this country breathe!
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