BJP MLA justifies mob justice, says rapists should be hanged publicly

BJP MLA Usha Thakur on Saturday justified the killing of the rape accused by a mob in Nagaland and pitched for a law allowing rapists to be hanged in full public view to deter others from committing such offences.

BJP MLA Usha Thakur on Saturday justified the killing of the rape accused by a mob in Nagaland and pitched for a law allowing rapists to be hanged in full public view to deter others from committing such offences.

"There is a need to make a stern law against men who rape minor girls. Such criminals should be hanged in full public view and their last rites should not be performed," Usha Thakur, BJP MLA from Indore and Madhya Pradesh BJP vice-president said.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here to felicitate 30 women as part of the International Women's Day celebrations, Thakur said, "Rapists are not humans. By spoiling one's life, they do something which is worse than animals. Hence, stringent law is needed against the perpetrators of such crimes. Such acts deserve rigorous punishment."

"Hypocrisy going on in the name of human rights that benefit the perpetrators of crime against women should end. Tough laws are needed for crime against women, especially rape. The rapists should get severe punishment in quick trials," she said.

The BJP MLA said she would raise public awareness on the issue across the country. She reiterated that a rapist should not be treated leniently even if he is a minor and demanded that in rape cases, the upper age limit for juveniles under the criminal justice system should be lowered to fourteen.