Death penalty for rapists no solution to deep-rooted problem: Gargi Chakravartty

Speaking to ETV Bharat, women's rights activist and vice president of National Federation of Indian Women Gargi Chakravartty said that the demands calling for the death penalty for rape accused are "not a solution" to a problem which is much more deep-rooted. She stressed on "police reforms" and "judicial efficiency" as plausible solutions to curb the menace.

New Delhi:With demands for the death penalty for rape accused echoing from all corners of society, including the lawmakers, following the brutal gangrape and murder of a veterinary doctor in Hyderabad, women's rights activist Gargi Chakravartty said that the problem is "deep-rooted" and "lynching or execution is not a solution".

"Demands for lynching and execution for rape accused, by the public and some of the MP's in Parliament, does not provide a solution to the problem. Two things are needed at the moment - police reforms and fast track courts, more district courts and judicial efficiency, " said Chakravartty while speaking to ETV Bharat.

"It is necessary to gender sensitise the police," added Chakravartty.

Terming the tendency to unleash sexual assault as a "disease", the vice president of National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) said, "If the doctor is unable to diagnose the disease it is difficult to treat the disease. We have to really ponder and pressurise the government to do something about it."

Criticising the induction of "criminals " as lawmakers of the country, Chakravartty said, "Criminals are there in the Parliament as well, and unfortunately there is a nexus between the criminals and the politicians. You can have a look at the cases of rape reported from Unnao, Kathua and that of Chinmayanand, and the way the accused were acquitted."

"We need to look at the acquittal reports, who are the people helping them to get acquitted. That is the most fundamental question which will expose a lot of things happening around us, " added the activist.

Elaborating on how patriarchy works as a major trigger towards the perpetration of crime against women and attacking the right-wing ideology for encouraging the same, Chakravartty said,"It is a deep-rooted malaise, and the root cause is the patriarchal mindset, and this mindset is now nurtured and encouraged by the ideology of the right-wing, which thinks that Manusmriti is the basis of family structure and society, which encourages subjugation of women."

She further said, "Children growing up observe the way their father behaves with their mother, the way their sisters are being treated. All this discrimination against women is also an invisible form of violence."

"One case is followed by another, and now there is an upsurge in such crimes, " added Chakravartty.

Swift death penalty, public lynching and castration of rape convicts were among the demands made by members in both houses of Parliament on Monday as they expressed deep outrage over the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad and other such incidents in the country, while the Centre said it was ready to amend laws to bring in stringent provisions and ensure speedy justice.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu even suggested a rethink on allowing convicts in heinous crimes to go in for mercy appeals.