Members in the Rajya Sabha today called for death sentence for the rapists. They termed rape as a national shame. Cutting across party lines, the members pleaded for fast track courts only to dispense summary justice in rape cases. They were participating in a Short Duration Discussion on the increasing number of rape cases across the country, which has resulted in a growing sense of insecurity all around.

Initiating the discussion, Mrs Maya Singh, BJP, said the number of violent incidents against women and girls has been increasing despite the passage of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. Suggesting instant death sentence for rapists, she urged the government to immediately convene an all-party meeting to evolve a consensus on the issue.

Echoing similar views, Dr Prabha Thakur of the Congress said death punishment should be awarded to the rapists within a month. She argued that the statement of the rape victim and her medical reports should be enough to award capital punishment to the culprit.

BSP Chief Mayawati favoured deterrent laws to prevent sexual assaults on women in general and girls in particular. JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari attributed the rape cases to the decline in the moral values of the present generation. CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury said rape incidents are caused by a depraved mindset and called for instilling the fear of law in the society.

The discussion remained inconclusive. The Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till tomorrow.