Death it is And Hyderabad says…

The verdict on the Delhi gangrape case brought about a sense of relief for people across the country and Hyderabadis too jumped on the bandwagon to share their thoughts. It’s still a long way before the verdict could be implemented. All the four accused have the option to appeal the fast track court’s sentence at the High Court and the Supreme Court and also ask the President for clemency. However, that did not deter denizens from reflecting on the sentence. Some of them expressed happiness, while some preferred seeking stringent measures in the city to make it a safe home for people. Many of them also questioned as to how capital punishment can deter such a crime. Here are a few reactions

Death penalty to the accused, is really a good news for all of us especially for me as I was praying for this kind of verdict since many days. The fast track court did a wonderful job, though it took nine long months to come to a conclusion and I feel that this judgment should become a yardstick for giving even faster judgments for all the ongoing cases in the country.

Ever since the Nirbhaya Act came into existence, we have seen many cases being booked under the Act. The verdict on Friday giving death penalty to the accused will certainly send strong signals to the society. People should be aware of the stringent law that gives death penalty in this country also. But what is more painful is the juvenile who has committed a heinous crime and has got only three years sentence at a reform home.

I would like to appreciate the Judge for giving this landmark verdict and I also wish that the juvenile in the case should be treated on par with other accused in the case, as now a days 16 years and above are frequently involved in many crimes and stringent laws only can control the growing menace. Now that our country has witnessed this verdict and in this need of the hour, it is our duty to create awareness among people to enable them to change their mindset towards women and also the cinema & TV serials should take more responsibility while portraying the characters of women in their scripts. The artificial entertainment is encouraging people to lead an impractical lifestyles and ending up as criminals.

- Jayasudha Kapoor, MLA

I am glad that the life penalty has been awarded. It is also good to see that all the proceeding went really fast unlike the usual scenario in Indian judiciary. I am really happy with the verdict.

- Pattathil Dhanya Menon, Director, Avanzo Cyber Solutions

The news was something I was not expecting. I felt they would have given a life sentence. This was a time when I saw massive pressure on judiciary by media and politicians. Considering the fact that the crime was highly gruesome, the verdict was something which was called for. Undoubtedly they deserved the death sentence but if the sentence was based on the pressure built up then it was not wise. The statement made by defence lawyer was also very tricky and he assures that he will go for an appeal in higher court. That is something I was scared of.

- Pankaj Sharma, General Manager, Country Club.

We as society must understand violence is violence. In the name of justice we cannot legitimate violence by giving death sentence. Life imprisonment would have been better than death for rapists. We need to reduce violence in the world and not increase it. Death sentence is a short cut which diverts the entire focus from the core issue. What about judiciary reforms? What about Gujarat riots? Manoroma, Salwa Judum Sonsori. Selective punishments in cases will not solve the problem.

- Shashank Rajwadi, social activist

Death Penalty to four Delhi gangrape and murder convicts is yet another excellent verdict of recent times. Though one convict managed to escape death penalty only because he was juvenile, hope this verdict will set an example in this country and help in reducing such inhumane acts.

- Sudheer Allam, Telecom engineer

It is a good judgment but, more appropriate sentence would have been giving them a more painful death, so that it would instill fear in the people before even thinking of attempting such cruel act. They should be burnt alive. No mercy should be given at all the convicts, for their barbarous act of raping the girl and damaging her body. How dare they resort to such a sadistic act. I still feel sad about the incident.

- B Renuka, homemaker

“It is true that the rapists deserved this punishment. But it is also true that the incident had so much attention because it happened in the national capital. And in northern part of the country, these are quite common. We have an attitude that in Hyderabad that it is all fine and safe but a stark irony is that four women are raped everyday in Andhra Pradesh, according to a report. What’s atrocious here is that dalit women, infants and young boys have been the target. One thing we can be certain about, everyone wishes the rapist get the cruelest punishment.”

- Shivangi Singh, Correspondent for YKA

It was the least that govt could do after being late by 9 months!! Good they did atleast that! Sad that nirbhaya had gone through more pain than the rapists' sentence! Let alone, govt, rules, law enforcement etc, I strongly feel, efforts should be first made at a very basic level, that is a family , where the parents should come out of the stigma of being embarrassed to speak and discuss things out with their child. A son has to be taught at home about how to respect a women as a women. And this starts at a very young age when family talks should include such topics on the dinner table and in the living room!!

- Ramya Kirtana Varanasi

“Speaking about Hyderabad, even we are no less in competing with women harassment. There is no proper security during night times and the police go searching for people travelling without proper documents. They should better go looking for people who wander with dangerous intentions, patrol regularly. Let the city lead a peaceful night life rather than nights with restrictions and terror,”

- Visheshta Yadav, fashion designer