The New York Times has an interesting article on the death penalty in India, from a unique point of view– that of the shortage of hangmen in a country so large as India.
This would be an almost humorous story except for the very real possibility that once a hangman is located, India’s first execution since 2004 will take place. Mahendra Nath Das is facing execution after the President of India unexpectedly refused his mercy petition. This surprised many legal experts in India and is especially worrying to prison advocates including the All-India Prison Officers Association a group that represents prison officials (isn’t it interesting that prison officials themselves are adamantly opposed to the death penalty and in fact assist prisoners with mercy petitions?).
But, rather than searching the country for retired hangmen, I’d propose a solution that is much easier– abolish the death penalty once and for all. It’s the right thing to do from a human rights standpoint which is certainly reason enough. But, as an added bonus, India’s prison officials will no longer have to spend its precious resources on finding someone to administer the gruesome task.
Humanitarians care for criminals more than innocent tax paying citizens. It is doubtful whether hanging can reduce murders to a great extent as the same is done out of revenge or bout. We should also give due rights to civilians.
Dear Mr Doshi.
The real humanitarians care for ALL beings, all things.
They see crime as a product of social conditions, like Hugo & Dickens & all great thinkers have seen it.
The work of rescuing & rehabilitating so – called "criminals" is just a part of rescuing & treating the ills besetting modern society.
The one cannot be done without the other.
Humanitarians care for criminals more than innocent tax paying citizens. It is doubtful whether hanging can reduce murders to a great extent as the same is done out of revenge or bout. We should also give due rights to civilians.
Dear Mr Doshi.
The real humanitarians care for ALL beings, all things.
They see crime as a product of social conditions, like Hugo & Dickens & all great thinkers have seen it.
The work of rescuing & rehabilitating so – called “criminals” is just a part of rescuing & treating the ills besetting modern society.
The one cannot be done without the other.
Dear Savage,
Do you think that you are Justifying by leaving the criminal without capital punishment who has just killed some innocent without justification. There is an absolute need to give capital punishment inorder to inject fear in such perpetrators who think that they will be pardoned in our weak justice system. How can anyone sympathise any criminal when you dont empathise the victim.
Against your point for rehabilitation in that case, do you think even Osama Bin Laden should have been captured and rehabilitated….what do you suggest?.
Or you think all criminals are having some mental disorders and they should be pitied and shown to some Psychiatrist for counselling.
I know you wont have an answer for this…..
The point is where do you draw a line, i mean do you lay a limit to the no. of persons killed to get a death penality.
Or are you trying to say that Only Life sentence is justified for such offence.
What about the life of the Victim being snatched away ….the person has died ….he doesnt have a life to live !!!…….And yet we are giving a Life to such Criminals to live and talking about there rehabilitation.
Which Human Right are you talking about it the Modern World…..Does proclaiming a War on Terror gives you an appropriate Right to Kill with justification?…..Does any soilder show mercy to the enemy?……why are weapons made in the modern world , if you are justifying that no one should be killed even be it for a crime…. in the context of Human Right violation?
These are just mere excuses to show how Humane are you.!! But the truth is no one actually withstand Injustice/ bad be it in any context ……And so you intend to kill giving a Justification to a particular type of crime.
Do you acknowledge that A person's life is not just attached to himself alone…his life does matter to his family, his friends ,his collegues ,his well wishers …. when he is killed …all relationships are ruined !!!! Isnt that a Crime !!!!!!
A life is a Life … be it one or many.
When the Murderer or a Killer kills his intension is definately Bad …
But when a Soldier kills , he kills for Good ……..
SO BE LIKE A SOLDIER AND KILL FOR GOOD
let me be polite… it doesnt mean that you are inhumane or lack mercy but when wrong is done without justification , the perpetrator should be punished with an equal level of crime.Therefore…..
Capital punishment is Justified for a Criminal who has killed a Life!
Dear Savage,
Do you think that you are Justifying by leaving the criminal without capital punishment who has just killed some innocent without justification. There is an absolute need to give capital punishment inorder to inject fear in such perpetrators who think that they will be pardoned in our weak justice system. How can anyone sympathise any criminal when you dont empathise the victim.
Against your point for rehabilitation in that case, do you think even Osama Bin Laden should have been captured and rehabilitated….what do you suggest?.
Or you think all criminals are having some mental disorders and they should be pitied and shown to some Psychiatrist for counselling.
I know you wont have an answer for this…..
The point is where do you draw a line, i mean do you lay a limit to the no. of persons killed to get a death penality.
Or are you trying to say that Only Life sentence is justified for such offence.
What about the life of the Victim being snatched away ….the person has died ….he doesnt have a life to live !!!…….And yet we are giving a Life to such Criminals to live and talking about there rehabilitation.
Which Human Right are you talking about it the Modern World…..Does proclaiming a War on Terror gives you an appropriate Right to Kill with justification?…..Does any soilder show mercy to the enemy?……why are weapons made in the modern world , if you are justifying that no one should be killed even be it for a crime…. in the context of Human Right violation?
These are just mere excuses to show how Humane are you.!! But the truth is no one actually withstand Injustice/ bad be it in any context ……And so you intend to kill giving a Justification to a particular type of crime.
Do you acknowledge that A person’s life is not just attached to himself alone…his life does matter to his family, his friends ,his collegues ,his well wishers …. when he is killed …all relationships are ruined !!!! Isnt that a Crime !!!!!!
A life is a Life … be it one or many.
When the Murderer or a Killer kills his intension is definately Bad …
But when a Soldier kills , he kills for Good ……..
SO BE LIKE A SOLDIER AND KILL FOR GOOD
let me be polite… it doesnt mean that you are inhumane or lack mercy but when wrong is done without justification , the perpetrator should be punished with an equal level of crime.Therefore…..
Capital punishment is Justified for a Criminal who has killed a Life!
Pradip Doshi, why do you support the death penalty and insult AIUSA in its blogs like the rest of these death penalty supporters who claim that executions of "murderers and monsters" "justify human rights" and "bring justice, peace, and closure to victims and their families" while shunning the families of death row inmates and ignoring their professed innocence? You celebrate executions of individuals, which makes it TRULY not Christian, and you never care about us or about human rights at all! 😡
I am not a Christian but if you are, allow me to have my say.
Pradip Doshi, why do you support the death penalty and insult AIUSA in its blogs like the rest of these death penalty supporters who claim that executions of “murderers and monsters” “justify human rights” and “bring justice, peace, and closure to victims and their families” while shunning the families of death row inmates and ignoring their professed innocence? You celebrate executions of individuals, which makes it TRULY not Christian, and you never care about us or about human rights at all! 😡
I am not a Christian but if you are, allow me to have my say.
Dear Var Rose,
i hugely enjoyed your argument.
i won't touch on the "War on Terror", but only the issue here.
Killing on the battlefield & executions in civil society are different, for the conditions differ.
In the battlefield you try to gain power, but after you capture a "criminal" you already have power over him.
Is your society a just one, or an unjust one ?
That's determined by how wisely it uses its power.
In your history you have periods you call the "Golden Age", because there was justice & peace in the land.
The days of Ashoka, the Mauryas, the Guptas …
There was crime, but it was contained.
Because wise administration and justice led to social harmony and general contentment.
Whenever those Golden Ages were replaced by misrule, you saw society at war with itself.
Criminal courts are not weapons of war, dear V Rose.
i am not talking of life sentences either, for they are worse than death.
Firstly, i am talking of the PREVENTION of crime by weeding out the CONDITIONS that breed it.
THEN i am talking of the gradual process of re – integration of the criminal into a future within society in some form — a reintegration not just on his part, but ours as well.
We must study the diseases in each person individually, & re – educate him about his healing in turn.
This doesn't mean disrespecting the victims of crime, but REALLY attending to the DISEASES that killed them.
That's the only way to truly honor them.
Those diseases are not AT THEIR CORE law & order problems, let alone military ones.
Neither are they psychological problems.
They are SOCIAL ones.
When you say, "the perpetrator should be punished with AN EQUAL LEVEL OF CRIME", i understand that you speak with passion, but not vision.
No level of crime is a province of the state.
Kautilya wouldn't have agreed with you at all.
Do you want to WORK WITH the real problems of crime ?
Then go to their Sources.
There are no shortcuts by death or hanging, no other way.
Dear Var Rose,
i hugely enjoyed your argument.
i won’t touch on the “War on Terror”, but only the issue here.
Killing on the battlefield & executions in civil society are different, for the conditions differ.
In the battlefield you try to gain power, but after you capture a “criminal” you already have power over him.
Is your society a just one, or an unjust one ?
That’s determined by how wisely it uses its power.
In your history you have periods you call the “Golden Age”, because there was justice & peace in the land.
The days of Ashoka, the Mauryas, the Guptas …
There was crime, but it was contained.
Because wise administration and justice led to social harmony and general contentment.
Whenever those Golden Ages were replaced by misrule, you saw society at war with itself.
Criminal courts are not weapons of war, dear V Rose.
i am not talking of life sentences either, for they are worse than death.
Firstly, i am talking of the PREVENTION of crime by weeding out the CONDITIONS that breed it.
THEN i am talking of the gradual process of re – integration of the criminal into a future within society in some form — a reintegration not just on his part, but ours as well.
We must study the diseases in each person individually, & re – educate him about his healing in turn.
This doesn’t mean disrespecting the victims of crime, but REALLY attending to the DISEASES that killed them.
That’s the only way to truly honor them.
Those diseases are not AT THEIR CORE law & order problems, let alone military ones.
Neither are they psychological problems.
They are SOCIAL ones.
When you say, “the perpetrator should be punished with AN EQUAL LEVEL OF CRIME”, i understand that you speak with passion, but not vision.
No level of crime is a province of the state.
Kautilya wouldn’t have agreed with you at all.
Do you want to WORK WITH the real problems of crime ?
Then go to their Sources.
There are no shortcuts by death or hanging, no other way.
Oops! I'm sorry I wrongly accused you, Pradip. I was making a response to Var_Rose, the guy who insulted AIUSA, supports the death penalty, and never cares about human rights at all.
Oops! I’m sorry I wrongly accused you, Pradip. I was making a response to Var_Rose, the guy who insulted AIUSA, supports the death penalty, and never cares about human rights at all.
Well Said Pradip and Rose.
Indeed a good argument on whether a person like Osama if spared could have been rehabilitated. i.e. if you really think that such person could have been taken a live. These are people who tought others to take their own lives and what guarentee would one have to say that such people with terrorist mentalities would not take their own lives?
We all are humanitarians in our own way. We do live and fight to make lives better for the humans and also the other living beings around us. To save these decent humans, we indeed want those who disgrace humanity out of human race. Capital punishment or any other means to get rid of such inhumanes should be greatly appreciated as one of the most nobal acts on behalf of the humans. If not, we will have to make way to all rapists, gangsters, murderers and worst of all TERRORISTS like Bin Laden and Prabakaran in the name of humanity. I call it inhumanity or blind humanity.
Also Debbie – it is pretty unfair to bring any kind of religion in to these topics. What right have you got to jump in to the conclusion that only a Christian would be a humanitarian ? Humanitarian practices that goes beyond what's said in Chirtianity existed way before 1 B.C. in India in the form of Hinduism and Buddhism. So, don't bring in unwanted and irrelavant topics and get your fingers burnt. If this is the humanity you practice, please do go ahead, but, also respect the fact that another person would have a different perspective.
Well Said Pradip and Rose.
Indeed a good argument on whether a person like Osama if spared could have been rehabilitated. i.e. if you really think that such person could have been taken a live. These are people who tought others to take their own lives and what guarentee would one have to say that such people with terrorist mentalities would not take their own lives?
We all are humanitarians in our own way. We do live and fight to make lives better for the humans and also the other living beings around us. To save these decent humans, we indeed want those who disgrace humanity out of human race. Capital punishment or any other means to get rid of such inhumanes should be greatly appreciated as one of the most nobal acts on behalf of the humans. If not, we will have to make way to all rapists, gangsters, murderers and worst of all TERRORISTS like Bin Laden and Prabakaran in the name of humanity. I call it inhumanity or blind humanity.
Also Debbie – it is pretty unfair to bring any kind of religion in to these topics. What right have you got to jump in to the conclusion that only a Christian would be a humanitarian ? Humanitarian practices that goes beyond what’s said in Chirtianity existed way before 1 B.C. in India in the form of Hinduism and Buddhism. So, don’t bring in unwanted and irrelavant topics and get your fingers burnt. If this is the humanity you practice, please do go ahead, but, also respect the fact that another person would have a different perspective.
Dear A.Savage,
I appreciate your politeness in your post, but the truth is far much bitter .
In this world we actually cannot follow Gandhian Philosophy practically in all the circumstances and situations….Do you agree on this or not?
The Society is built up this way,,,,,
The crimals are subject to punishment…….Even RAVAN was Killed by RAM for Truth and Good !
Being Human is Superlative but Subjective! is not the way of Being Human!
We might talk about being just and kind to all but nevertheless we fail to understand – where and whom to show it proportionately!!
Who doesnt like to be in a World of Happiness free from Sorrow but the humans are accountable for thier own Mistakes and Sins which continues them to make the world miserable.
Remember–Mistakes are always forgiven , like when a child makes a mistake the teacher or a parent understands the innocence of the fault and pardons him as well as try to rectify the mistake of the child by teaching him again.
But when Mistake becomes Sin then they never hold back not to punish .!
Sins are Always Punished you see …its relative to the Crime
If you believe in God ,then you must be beleiving in the Wisdom of God …..that God punishes the Wicked and Evil . He does forgives the sins to an extent of this life ….Thats why the concept of Heaven and Hell exists.
Who is Most Merciful than God ,but God Himself…He is Merciful to All His Creatures!! We can never be as merciful and compassionate than Him..
* Now Coming back to the topic…….
Do you agree that One can only feel the pain when hurt himself?
Even a doctor cannot diagnose the pain and agony of the patient which is out of his bounds.
Yes, its true we fail to undersand the Trauma and Agony of the Victim similarly . Perhaps his/her (victim's) soul may curse the Culprit or may want to take avenge to Rest in Peace!! Althought it sounds like a jest !!!!!, but we need to understand the deeper context.
The person dies and the suffering continues with the deceased family!
Even if you ask the family member that what kind of punishment would you like to give the Culprit……The Answer would be the Same….to Kill him!
Unless the family pardons the Culprit and shows the greatest sign of Humanity or mercy……But unfortunately most of the PEOPLE LACK MERCY.
As we live in a Modern Civil society… we are bound by the law and hence we cannot not yet again take law into our own hands…..and we plead for the Justice thinking that the people of wisdom and authority.would give the best verdict of the Crime.
Having said that, " The people at the position of Jury should give the best judgement empathising the Victim alone and not the Culprit or his Family".
*Now against your point: "Killing on the battlefield & executions in civil society are different, for the conditions differ"
Do you think killings can be justified on the battlefield and not for executions in civil society, then you may have to think again!!!!!
The Cause and the purpose still remains the same…to kill the Enemy/Culprits/Terrorists…
Infact the killings in the battlefield are much more unjust comparetively… because in the pretext of killing the enemy you may kill the innocent too
Whereas for executions you know who is the Culprit and you can never kill the innocent…….unless charged wrongly or unjustly without proof !
Wars can also be never justified equally…….Now do you Agree!
* I absolutely agree with you when you made a point for "PREVENTION of crime by weeding out the CONDITIONS that breed it."
But this can be done only at the ground level and not at the level of Crime done to murder someone!
Do you think you can TEACH SOMEONE WHO HAS KILLED ALREADY.
This would only mean like "Teaching Human being to be a Human again".
The Culprit is not a kid of nursery to undersatnd the ABC of Life. I am talking about a mature man / women who knows how to distinguish between Good and Bad….again Sparing the Mentally Insane Ones!
These Mature Mentally Sane people ,obiviously know the evils …..but the Evils in themselves provoke to do the Crime of Murder!…..and the Humanity dies in thier eyes !
Ofcourse , More good can be done for the society , if our Government provides an adequate level of benefits with respect to Education and basic amenities to the people and to fulfill the demands of the valid wants …..irrespective of religion, caste, creed, , colors, race,……This will eliminate the bigger social evils in the society.
Not only within the borders but also accross the borders as well by way of Aid ,charity and donations.
But even then , the Evil cannot or never be eliminated completely from the society….it could only be minimised to a certain level. This is because Humans are bound to Err !!!!
The Arrogance, Jealosy,hatred,Lust,Greed and Wealth- These Evil manifestations makes the Man to do the Crime of his own ill wills. Threfore the Man who is charmed by such Evils cannot perceive the true nature of Humanity or Mercy.
So I want to conclude that by " Justice Delayed is Justice Denied!! "
* Delay in the context of minimising or refusing the Penality of Death to the Murderer or Killer or any person would Kills on any matter.
Perhaps I still believe that THE WORLD CAN BE MADE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE
but also not by condoning one evil with another!!
@ Debbie: If you intend to potray that you are Pro Humanitarian …… then here you are yourself violating Human Rights by objecting other person's freedom of Speech……. I have no intensions to Insult or Maline AIUSA's objectives ….but at the broader sense ….the issue is much more difficult to implement and to justify properly and needs a majority support and acceptance as a whole.
So please stop making lame comments., If you have an opinion or suggesstion to mke then you are most welcome .
Its not the cause of One person/Organisation alone , it is a cause for Humanity.
So LET THE PEACE PREVAIL!!!!
Thankyou!
Dear A.Savage,
I appreciate your politeness in your post, but the truth is far much bitter .
In this world we actually cannot follow Gandhian Philosophy practically in all the circumstances and situations….Do you agree on this or not?
The Society is built up this way,,,,,
The crimals are subject to punishment…….Even RAVAN was Killed by RAM for Truth and Good !
Being Human is Superlative but Subjective! is not the way of Being Human!
We might talk about being just and kind to all but nevertheless we fail to understand – where and whom to show it proportionately!!
Who doesnt like to be in a World of Happiness free from Sorrow but the humans are accountable for thier own Mistakes and Sins which continues them to make the world miserable.
Remember–Mistakes are always forgiven , like when a child makes a mistake the teacher or a parent understands the innocence of the fault and pardons him as well as try to rectify the mistake of the child by teaching him again.
But when Mistake becomes Sin then they never hold back not to punish .!
Sins are Always Punished you see …its relative to the Crime
If you believe in God ,then you must be beleiving in the Wisdom of God …..that God punishes the Wicked and Evil . He does forgives the sins to an extent of this life ….Thats why the concept of Heaven and Hell exists.
Who is Most Merciful than God ,but God Himself…He is Merciful to All His Creatures!! We can never be as merciful and compassionate than Him..
* Now Coming back to the topic…….
Do you agree that One can only feel the pain when hurt himself?
Even a doctor cannot diagnose the pain and agony of the patient which is out of his bounds.
Yes, its true we fail to undersand the Trauma and Agony of the Victim similarly . Perhaps his/her (victim’s) soul may curse the Culprit or may want to take avenge to Rest in Peace!! Althought it sounds like a jest !!!!!, but we need to understand the deeper context.
The person dies and the suffering continues with the deceased family!
Even if you ask the family member that what kind of punishment would you like to give the Culprit……The Answer would be the Same….to Kill him!
Unless the family pardons the Culprit and shows the greatest sign of Humanity or mercy……But unfortunately most of the PEOPLE LACK MERCY.
As we live in a Modern Civil society… we are bound by the law and hence we cannot not yet again take law into our own hands…..and we plead for the Justice thinking that the people of wisdom and authority.would give the best verdict of the Crime.
Having said that, ” The people at the position of Jury should give the best judgement empathising the Victim alone and not the Culprit or his Family”.
*Now against your point: “Killing on the battlefield & executions in civil society are different, for the conditions differ”
Do you think killings can be justified on the battlefield and not for executions in civil society, then you may have to think again!!!!!
The Cause and the purpose still remains the same…to kill the Enemy/Culprits/Terrorists…
Infact the killings in the battlefield are much more unjust comparetively… because in the pretext of killing the enemy you may kill the innocent too
Whereas for executions you know who is the Culprit and you can never kill the innocent…….unless charged wrongly or unjustly without proof !
Wars can also be never justified equally…….Now do you Agree!
* I absolutely agree with you when you made a point for “PREVENTION of crime by weeding out the CONDITIONS that breed it.”
But this can be done only at the ground level and not at the level of Crime done to murder someone!
Do you think you can TEACH SOMEONE WHO HAS KILLED ALREADY.
This would only mean like “Teaching Human being to be a Human again”.
The Culprit is not a kid of nursery to undersatnd the ABC of Life. I am talking about a mature man / women who knows how to distinguish between Good and Bad….again Sparing the Mentally Insane Ones!
These Mature Mentally Sane people ,obiviously know the evils …..but the Evils in themselves provoke to do the Crime of Murder!…..and the Humanity dies in thier eyes !
Ofcourse , More good can be done for the society , if our Government provides an adequate level of benefits with respect to Education and basic amenities to the people and to fulfill the demands of the valid wants …..irrespective of religion, caste, creed, , colors, race,……This will eliminate the bigger social evils in the society.
Not only within the borders but also accross the borders as well by way of Aid ,charity and donations.
But even then , the Evil cannot or never be eliminated completely from the society….it could only be minimised to a certain level. This is because Humans are bound to Err !!!!
The Arrogance, Jealosy,hatred,Lust,Greed and Wealth- These Evil manifestations makes the Man to do the Crime of his own ill wills. Threfore the Man who is charmed by such Evils cannot perceive the true nature of Humanity or Mercy.
So I want to conclude that by ” Justice Delayed is Justice Denied!! ”
* Delay in the context of minimising or refusing the Penality of Death to the Murderer or Killer or any person would Kills on any matter.
Perhaps I still believe that THE WORLD CAN BE MADE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE
but also not by condoning one evil with another!!
@ Debbie: If you intend to potray that you are Pro Humanitarian …… then here you are yourself violating Human Rights by objecting other person’s freedom of Speech……. I have no intensions to Insult or Maline AIUSA’s objectives ….but at the broader sense ….the issue is much more difficult to implement and to justify properly and needs a majority support and acceptance as a whole.
So please stop making lame comments., If you have an opinion or suggesstion to mke then you are most welcome .
Its not the cause of One person/Organisation alone , it is a cause for Humanity.
So LET THE PEACE PREVAIL!!!!
Thankyou!
Rose !!
Blah Blah Blah !!
You better preach in your chruch and not waste time of those who do not wish to drag religion in to HR or any other discussion forum.
You are the type that uses Jesus's name as an excuse for being narrow minded Biggots.
Get a Life !!
Rose !!
Blah Blah Blah !!
You better preach in your chruch and not waste time of those who do not wish to drag religion in to HR or any other discussion forum.
You are the type that uses Jesus’s name as an excuse for being narrow minded Biggots.
Get a Life !!
Hi John!!
What have you justified in your post? Nothing but Hypocrisy Rights which you are trying to preach !!!
I really take a pity on people like you who doesnt have a say of their own and believe only running in the crowd like sheeps .
For your kind Information ….I neither practice nor preach Christanity!!! ….And I believe you are a Christian ….no wonder in it!
If you dont have an opinion ….or in fact grey cells to put in your thoughts…. its better to keep yourself away from the discussion……because it is only meant for Like minded people….who truly Believe in Freedom of Press and Speech!!!
You are only swayed by your fake emotions!!!!!! Take a break!
Hi John!!
What have you justified in your post? Nothing but Hypocrisy Rights which you are trying to preach !!!
I really take a pity on people like you who doesnt have a say of their own and believe only running in the crowd like sheeps .
For your kind Information ….I neither practice nor preach Christanity!!! ….And I believe you are a Christian ….no wonder in it!
If you dont have an opinion ….or in fact grey cells to put in your thoughts…. its better to keep yourself away from the discussion……because it is only meant for Like minded people….who truly Believe in Freedom of Press and Speech!!!
You are only swayed by your fake emotions!!!!!! Take a break!