“Don’t know if every rape case should be punishable by death given the possible abuse of law but these bus rape guys probably deserve it” CHETAN BHAGAT, author

Every other minute, there are reports of heinous crime across the nation which is being perpetrated by strangling and trampling on humanity. The recent case of gang rape in our national capital in which a 23 year old girl was gangraped, beaten severely and brutalized by six men on board and thrown off a moving bus is an omen that speaks loudly of the degradation of human values and culture in our society. This in the heart of the capital. Right now, as she battles for her life, doctors say that the 6 men who raped her, beat her up so brutally that there is irreparable damage to her intestines.

The statement like ‘an administrative and political capital has become a rape capital of our country’ would soon turn into an aphorism as the city of Delhi has perhaps become the most unsafe city for women. Apart from other crimes, incident of rape cases has become a regular phenomenon in the national capital. The recent one has been more horrendous than ever and has shaken the whole nation. Thousands of people are erupting in protests resulting in a huge wave of pressure on the Government to take solid, substantial action on the issue once and for all.

Some wonders what mothers are teaching their sons now-a-days. Well, upbringing is one of the problems but one cannot deny the poor law enforcement in India. Crimes, as such, have to be put to an end before they make a deep rooted seat in our society. The accused and perpetrators of crime must be given an exemplary punishment so that the criminals who are roaming scot free have the fear of the law and think twice before committing a heinous crime. However, the 6 men went on their daily business like they will never be caught. This is a comment on the toothlessness of our rape laws & low conviction rate. This needs to change. No one should think that they can commit violence against women and get away with it.

Now, the question is what sort of punishment should be given to the perpetrators of such crime. Death penalty or life time imprisonment? Secondly, can our court system deliver justice effectively and in a time bound manner? Or will it be like any other case which is filed but remain pending for years?

Whatever punishment be given to those criminals, unless and until our court system is effective, police officials are efficient and stringent deterrents are in place, one cannot expect any positive change in the rate of crimes taking place in our society. It may not be possible to fix everything in one go, but at least we should start with devising preventive measures before crimes rates touch an alarming rate in our country.

Subash Deb