Activists hail death for rapists

Women's rights activists Friday said the court's award of the death penalty to the four men convicted of the gang-rape and death of a young woman in Delhi last December would prove a deterrent to such crimes.

"It is a landmark judgment and a very good decision of the court. The court, by giving the death sentence to all the four men, sends a clear message that such crimes won't be tolerated," Mamta Sharma, chairperson, National Commission for Women (NCW), told IANS.

The death sentence would come as solace to the victim's family, and represent, to them, justice for their daughter, Ranjana Kumari, director of the Centre for Social Research (CSR), told IANS.

"I'm satisfied that the four men have got the severest punishment. The sentence is loud and clear, that there should not be a repetition of such a grievous case," Ranjana Kumari told IANS.

Former Indian Police Service officer Kiran Bedi tweeted: "Clear message to parents and teachers and community at large... tell your boys how to behave and be responsible or (they will) be hung."

Meanwhile, a few activists say the death penalty cannot be seen as the solution to cases of sexual violence.

"Death penalty cannot be a solution or deterrent, though it might be rarest of rare cases. The four accused could have been given a chance to reform. We need to look at the root causes of the sexual violence against women," said Sunita Dhar, representing Jagori, an NGO that seeks to "inform, inspire and empower" women.