After the unprecedented protests across Delhi and elsewhere in India over the gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appeared on the national television to assure his countrymen of all possible efforts to contain the rape crime. It’s not strange that Delhi is nicknamed as “rape capital” of India which has witnessed a 17 percent rise in this heinous crime during this year. But the issue is not limited to Delhi or other major metropolises wherein a vibrant civil society and media come out to support victims. But what about rape victims who suffer at the hands of security forces? What about the rape victims from Dalit families, no one bothers to talk about them.
We have to accept that sometimes these double-faced attitudes lead to encourage the criminals that they could go unpunished without any fear. If the government is really serious to contain the crime, then it has to go for zero tolerance policy whether the crime is committed by a soldier, high caste fellow or a petty criminal. Indian government needs to show its resolve that rape in Kashmir, Gujarat and other states, wherein security forces are fighting with separatists, will not be accepted as a necessity to punish a community or rebels.
Change in mentality and attitude is a long-term goal which should not be confused with the need for immediate actions such as changes in the IPC (Indian Penal Code) to propose death penalty for rape criminals regardless of their position in society or forces. — Masood Khan, Jubail
Punish the rapists
