Hang rapists publicly or castrate them, says CPI leader Atul Anjan

Communist Party of India leader Atul Anjan said Friday that convicted rapists must be hanged publicly, and alternatively suggested that their sexual organs and hands be severed to send out a stern message that such crimes against women in India won't be tolerated.

Reacting to the recent rape of a six-year-old girl at a private school in Bangalore, Anjan told ANI, "Severe punishments must be meted out to rapists. If the Supreme Court convicts a person on rape charges, then these rapists must be given harsh punishments and their age should not be a bar. Otherwise, their hands and sexual organs must be severed to teach them a lesson. It might raise questions over human rights abuse, but what about the human rights of the women who are raped?"

National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW) general secretary Annie Raja told ANI, "This shows that irrespective of the place or age, and irrespective of what dress they wear, crimes against women have increased. Government should be more conscious and alert. In Uttar Pradesh, the vehicle of Chief Minister was given more budgetary allowance than the implementation of legislations. This is a war like situation for the Indian woman. Governments, whether at the centre or in states, need to wake up and ensure this doesn't happen."

The raped child was a student of the Vibgyor School on Varthur-Haralur Road, near Kundalahalli Gate in Bagalore. She was attacked on July 2.

R Kerawalla, chairman of the school, said on Thursday that the accused is in police custody and an investigation is on.

Parents and students in Bangalore subsequently held a candle light vigil demanding justice for the rape survivor.