Unanswered questions...
The
recent debates and activism for and against the death penalty made me think of
another aspect of the death penalty that somehow does not figure in the mind space
of these activists.
Most
of those facing the death penalty seem to be convicted of murder and these days
death is being handed out to the “rarest of the rare” cases and it makes you
wonder if a killing of another person(s) is an everyday occurrence. And what
merits certain murders to be termed thus?
Death
is inevitable and everyone is mortal. What is uncertain is the time of death.
Working in the life assurance industry I am an evangelist for protection,
protection of the financial status of the surviving family of a deceased. Life
assurance is simply a step in that endeavour. Few people plan for their death
and fewer plan for the social security of their loved ones in their absence.
The abysmal insurance penetration of our country is a testament to this.
With
this back ground I wonder about the plight of the families of the victims who
may be left helpless with the unfortunate demise of the bread winner. Is this justice
then a fair retribution & can this put food on the table? Having been taught
that one must forgive seventy times seven, death may not be the solution. The
question remains what happens to those who are still living a half life because
someone has robbed them of their support.
Should
not the convicted criminal make good at least the financial loss caused by him
/ her? Will these activists who fight against the death sentence contribute
money to save other lives from hunger? Will the state step in?
I
wonder...
The person's life is anyway screwed up either by death penalty or by long term imprisonment. The family has to forget the person as an earning member, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI have no answers.
Joy always,
Susan
@ susan deborah: i am worried about the family of those killed by the convicts
ReplyDelete@ susan deborah: i am worried about the family of those killed by the convicts
ReplyDeleteIts true that they suffer a lot. But at the same time, by Indian standards, the responsible earning member of the family rarely want to get caught in such circumstances. And when he does, the family as well as the convict have to make up the mind and move forward. Only rarest of the rare cases get death penalty and it is only when all the judges are convinced that there are enough evidence to judge him guilty.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as earning member in my opinion. But we cannot give assurance to the family because of the person involved committed a blunder in a moment of rage or madness.