#SafetyIsMyBirthright

Demand Strict Punishment for Sexual Crimes in India: A Call for Castration for Rapists and Sexual Predators

We, the undersigned, demand a single, severe punishment for any form of sexual violence, harassment, or assault: castration.

This punishment must be enforced swiftly, with investigation results to be presented within 24-72 hours.

India, the world’s largest democracy, has witnessed an alarming number of sexual crimes that have not received punishments commensurate with the severity of the offense and the trauma endured by the victims. It is time to change this. In a nation where women are revered as mothers and worshipped as goddesses, we must ensure that every woman feels safe and protected.

According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India reported over 45,000 cases of rape in 2022. This equates to a staggering statistic: a woman is raped approximately every 12 minutes in India. This statistic highlights the urgency and scale of the problem. Moreover, the actual numbers may be even higher due to underreporting, driven by fear of societal stigma and a lack of trust in the judicial process.

This petition calls for a decisive and unambiguous law that serves as a deterrent to potential offenders. The punishment must be as severe as the crime, reflecting the societal need to protect its citizens from such heinous acts.

The time for leniency has passed. A resounding ‘NO’ means ‘NO,’ and our legal system must reflect this. With your support, we can push for a law that speaks for itself—a law that makes sexual violence an unthinkable crime in India.

Regardless of your gender, age, or nationality, this issue affects you. Whether as a citizen or a visitor, your safety should never be in question. Do you want to live in or visit a country where you must constantly be on high alert, or do you want a society that guarantees your safety as a basic right?

Safety is our birthright, and the law must enforce this unequivocally.

Shreya Harshey    Contact the author of the petition