"Kill them already"

Did you see the interview of the Delhi rapist yet? If not you should. It pretty much sums up the major reason for the sorrow state of Indian women. But accompanying that article are the comments demanding his death in different possible means.

Let me state right here that I am in no way going to argue that he be released or should not be given death penalty. But I would like for us to go to his last statements in the article

Before, they would rape and say, 'Leave her, she won't tell anyone'. Now when they rape, especially the criminal types, they will just kill the girl,"

Sure his statement is wrong on many levels. But does it not make you think of consequences of the actions taken by us as a society? And if so are these consequences always good?

Imagine yourself in 19^th and 20^th century India, which is under colonial repression. Now suppose we won our independence through an armed struggle, much like 1857 revolt. While the reason for such revolt is justifiable, would we have remained as people of one nation in such an independent struggle.

Now go to 1960 USA. Imagine if Martin Luther king advocated armed struggle. Would USA have remained an economic superpower after such struggle? Would blacks have achieved their civil rights?

Too much history? Maybe.

Let me simplify a bit. Imagine yourself in a break up that happened because the girl/boy was from “higher caste”. Even while experiencing pain, we understand the necessity for such. We understand what would happen to our parents in case we defied them and so we choose to keep them happy and leave a better place for next generation.

Above are the examples where leaders showed restraint and thought to tackle the problem even while possibly prolonging the struggle. Much like the modern girl in India. This is because violence/direct confrontation might not always lead to best possible result.

So for everyone who is advocating that the rapist be killed through the meanest possible way, much like by our NTR in Temper, I suggest they take a deep breath and think how such things will affect society on a whole and if he/she is doing their part to change things for the best.

In case you are looking for a historical reference when things done in good intentions turned horribly wrong. I would point out to the Jacobin government that came to power after the French revolution. It happened to be more brutal and repressive than the aristocracy and finally led to Napoleon Bonaparte who ravaged Europe through war.