Sharmila Tagore feels death sentence not deterrent for rape


Kolkata, Feb 2 (IANS): Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore Friday opposed capital punishment for rape saying death is neither the ultimate punishment nor a deterrent.

"I don't think death the ultimate punishment. It is not a deterrent because when the person is committing the crime, he thinks that he is not going to be caught.

"In southern states of America where death penalty exists there is the highest crime rate there, so it is not really a deterrent.Rigorous imprisonment for entire life is a better way of punishing somebody," said the actress here at the Kolkata Literary Meet here.

Speaking at the discussion on 'Will Capital Punishment for Rape Help or Hinder Justice?', Sharmila felt that the report by the Justice J.S. Verma committee which was constituted following the Delhi gangrape incident Dec 16 to look into rape laws was "wonderful" and had tried "to engage with the problem".

"At least Justice Verma has touched and tried to engage with the problem, and has heard the hurt, sentiment and the rage with the youth.

But of course they have stepped back from passion and have covered this in this wonderful report desisting from the death penalty which is taking somebody's life which is coming from the point of thinking that the state must establish an ethical standard of public morality because state cannot take somebody's life," she said.

However, Sharmila also felt the report was silent on issues like the three-month trial period demanded by women rights groups.

Praising the amendments that have been brought about in laws pertaining to women, she said: "They have taken away this cuddly, protectionist language and they are no longer calling it eve teasing or outrage to modesty or any of those awfully inadequate words.So the language is changing and they are calling rape as a rape."

But the real focus, according to her, should be on changing the mindset of people that sees women as "repositories of honour".

Touching on the social aspect, she said that there is a "business of shame and honour" which people associate with it.

"Rape happens within the family-it is your father, it is your brother, your uncle, neighbours and relatives. So how many people are you going to kill so it is just not practical.

"And then this shame and honour business which we all have got into and yes we are part of that patriarchy. Police is also part of that patriarchy," said Tagore.

  

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Comment on this article

  • OM, Dubai

    Sun, Feb 03 2013

    What could be the reasons that causes a man to assault a woman? think . . .

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Sulthan , Mang/Bang

    Sun, Feb 03 2013

    i think ur fear of saif, U think if he accidently does rape crime, and he gets hang till death Punishment.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • lancy, kuwait

    Sat, Feb 02 2013

    i salute u mr yamby,mangalore/qatar, this lady first of all doesnt the difference between rape and sleep. because i here from one of my friend this things r common in film industry so rape and sleep has no meaning for this people. only the decent girls who gives respect to their parents r troubled and they loss their life. so forget ur comments sharmila tagore, kamal hassan and the rest, u make money in different way and ur life is different than a common person in this world

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • S S Shetty, Dubai/mangalore

    Sat, Feb 02 2013

    Rapist should be chopped and hanged to death . This kind of punishment will create a kind of fear in the society hence people will be scared to commite such offence. In future nobody should dare to rape any girl/woman anymore. Tks

    DisAgree [4] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • jagdish, Mumbai, UAE

    Sat, Feb 02 2013

    Fully agree with Yamby, Mangalore, Qatar. Most of These show time people don't have culture, They don't feel other's pain. Their life is miserable and they make other life too.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Well wished,

    Sat, Feb 02 2013

    I definitely agree with Sharmila Tagore, because if someone is fed up with life and is scared to suicide then raping will be the best option so that he can easily accept death sentence, instead they should be punished in such a manner that every minute they spend should seem like month for eg. Donate their eye balls for someone who may do good to the society.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Yamby, Mangalore / Qatar

    Sat, Feb 02 2013

    Madam, you looks nice and thinks very bad!
    Life is different from showtime.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Yamby, Mangalore / Qatar

    Sat, Feb 02 2013

    The question is: did the Indian judiciary / law makers need suggestions from celebrities like Kamal Hassan and Sharmila Tagore. These creatures don't feel any difference between rape and sleep. They don't know about family life. They knows only enjoyment. She will support the capital punishment for rapist if her daughters been raped. It won't happen. B'coz, they are VIPs and living under tight security. So, she don't know or ever understand common man's feelings or pain?
    One simple question:
    If the same thing which happened in Delhi with Nirbhaya (or what ever her name),if it happened to Soha Ali Khan or Saba Ali Khan What is her re - action. Did she invite the rapists to her Pataudi Palace and feed them Biriyani? And what her Son did & doing? In the tag of love and romance, how many girls life he spoiled? Countless! So, they don't have the moral rights to comment or suggest certain issues. Who needs her free suggestion? Kamal Hassa is another idiot, who oppose the same. He also belongs to same category. He too don't know the family life. He married Vani and divorced her. Then he married Sarike and divorced her. Now living with Gauthami with out marriage and he is telling that , he don't believe marriages! What type creatures these all? Did they belong to human category? Sharmila's son Saif Ali Khan, first married Amritha Singh and divorced her. Then living with Rosa for more than two years and split. Then living with Kareena for four - five years and finally ended with marriage. This is their life and living style? Are they eligible to comment on such sensitive issues? You people just eat, drink and enjoy you life! Do give free lecture and try to be a teacher. Ms. Tagore, you are a big shame to Indian Ladies!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse


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