Haryana rape of 15-year-old: Vijender posts for death penalty; Bollywood names speak up

Following the brutal rape-murder of a 15-year-old girl in Haryana — the main suspect is a juvenile, just like in the Delhi bus rape case of 2012 — celebrities express their loathing and urge that justice be swift.

Celebrities have a voice, and they use it to good effect to draw attention to national issues. In India, few things are more ‘national’ than the non-stop sexual assault on women and children. Commenting on the gang-rape and murder of a 15-year-old girl in Haryana — committed with a brutality that recalls the Delhi bus rape case of 2012 — Haryana-born boxing champion Vijender Singh has expressed his support for the death penalty, and Bollywood names have spoken up, too, though not necessarily advocating capital punishment.

Boxer Vijender Singh, who is from Haryana, tweeted in favour of the death penalty following the brutal rape of a 15-year-old in his home state — the recent Haryana case has been likened to the Delhi bus rape case that shook the nation. (Photo: Sanchit Khanna/HT)

Under the hashtag, #HaryanaGangRape, actor-director Farhan Akhtar tweeted: “Throughout history, when the culture of violence is condoned or supported (by complicit silence), you will get it in all its ugliest manifestations. My heart bleeds for this girl. Justice must be swift & telling.”

Boxing champion Vijender Singh shared a poster on Twitter supporting death penalty for rapists. He wrote: “Feeling agonised by disgusting rape & murder incidences in Haryana. Some people are actually demons disguised as humans. Remember we cannot flourish as a nation if we don’t respect & protect our women.”

However, speaking to Hindustan Times, playback singer Kailash Kher voiced his opinion against the death penalty. He said, “It’s very unfortunate that in a country like India, such heinous incidents take place. This is contrary to what our culture reflects. Rapists are not humans, but death penalty is not the answer. We need to educate people and try to bring [about] a change in the way they think. Without changing it, you can’t change their attitude and perception.”

Director Onir, known for movies such as My Brother Nikhil (2005) and I Am (2011), firmly believes that the concept of juvenile justice needs to be worked out in India. “Children of ages 14 and 16 are no longer children. When they can commit gruesome crimes like these, why treat them under a special act or law? This level of barbaric incidents should not be taken lightly. We need long-term solutions for rape cases.”

Follow @htTweets for more