Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde has suggested the castration of rapists, comparing them to stray dogs to advocate for severe measures against sexual offenders. He emphasized the need for societal intervention during harassment instances and referenced historical punishments for further deterrence.
On March 11, 2025, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde proposed the castration of rapists, controversially likening them to stray dogs. During the oath-taking ceremony of the Bharatpur Bar Association, he pointed to a policy in Maharashtra where local authorities manage the stray dog population through castration, suggesting that similar measures should apply to sexual offenders.
Governor Bagde argued that implementing such a punishment would generate social stigma, stating, “When that person roams around in a village, people will say ‘arey ye wo hai’ (he is ‘that’ person),” suggesting that public shame would deter future crimes. He underscored the need to tackle the issue of bystanders who merely record instances of harassment rather than intervening.
He expressed disappointment at the tendency of individuals to film abuse rather than assist victims, asserting, “Aur jo aise prakar ka karm karta hai uska gacchi pakadne ko taiyaar rehna chahiye (One should be ready to catch the perpetrator, but that doesn’t happen).” Bagde called for urgent action from society, emphasizing that crime against women will not diminish without confronting and punishing offenders immediately, including physical retribution.
Additionally, he referenced historical methods of justice, highlighting practices during Shivaji Maharaj’s reign where severe punishments, such as breaking the limbs of individuals accused of rape, were utilized to deter such offenses.
In summary, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde’s remarks advocate for controversial measures against rapists, urging societal action against harassment and citing historical precedents for harsher punishments. His call for castration parallels measures taken for stray dog populations in Maharashtra, with the underlying intent of instilling public shame to deter future crimes. Bagde seeks a shift in societal norms to facilitate immediate interventions in incidents of abuse, underscoring the urgency of confronting sexual violence.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
