Few criminal offenses are as bad as rapists who abuse children. Child molesters are hated all around the world and face severe punishment in all countries. But now in Indian, one state has passed a new bill that would put child rapists up for the death penalty. And many people are demanding that America follow suit. The strict bill is called “the punishment method” and was unanimously passed in the Madhya Pradesh assembly on Monday.
That means Indians believe that child rapists should face as strict a punishment as murderers. And what God-fearing American could disagree with that?
The Indian state declares that sick people who rape children younger than 12 years old should be “hanged till death” if they are convicted of their heinous crimes.
Parents and non-parents alike believe that “the punishment method” is a step forward in justice. The only people who disagree with it are those who think capital punishment is always wrong and the child molesters themselves.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said: “People who rape 12-year-old girls are not human, they are demons. They do not have the right to live. There are people in society who can be set right only by severe punishments. (The bill) will deal with them. We will also raise awareness in society against such crimes.”
Not only did the new law institute the death penalty for convicted child molesters, but it also increased the minimum sentence for pedophiles who had sexual relations with children to 14 years behind bars. Gang rapists are also facing a minimum sentence of 20 years behind bars.
Although the bill is extremely popular at the state level, it has not become the new law of the land yet. It needs to be passed by the president and the federal government first before it officially goes into effect.
One of the best arguments against the death penalty was that would-be child rapists and molesters in India might now feel motivated to murder their victims, so they don’t have any witnesses against them. The child’s testimony against the rapist means a lot in court and is strong enough to convict them.
The state of Madhya Pradesh is located at the center of India, much like Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri are in the United States. Madhya Pradesh has the fifth highest state population in India. But this Indian state also has the highest level of rape reports. This history of sexual assault has inspired the people to be harder on the men who are violating the women and children of their state.
India resorts to the death penalty for more than just murder. Besides that capital offense, India also uses the death penalty to punish people who aid or encourage the suicide of a minor. Drug traffickers also face the death penalty. And in the state of Gujarat, people who are caught manufacturing and selling poisoned alcohol will receive a punishment that results in their death.
Should pedophiles and child rapists in America face harsher penalties like they do in India? What do you think?