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Hinduism: Crime and Punishment

Hindu attitudes to the death penalty

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Whether India still uses it, Hindu arguments for and against, Padma Purana 1.31 read by supporters and opponents, Gandhi's influence, and Humanist, atheist and situation-ethics arguments.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is capital punishment, and does India still use it?

Key term

What is the purpose of capital punishment, according to its supporters?

Key term

Why do some Hindus support the death penalty?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is capital punishment, and does India still use it?

    Model answer

    Capital punishment is execution by the state for a serious crime. India keeps the death penalty for the “rarest of rare” cases.

  2. 2

    What is the purpose of capital punishment, according to its supporters?

    Model answer

    Supporters say it gives retribution for the worst crimes and protects society permanently. Supporters also claim it deters others.

  3. 3

    Why do some Hindus support the death penalty?

    Model answer

    Some Hindus cite the Manusmriti's teaching that the king must punish serious crimes, even with death. A murderer's execution protects society and upholds dharma, on this view.

  4. 4

    Why do many Hindus oppose the death penalty?

    Model answer

    Execution breaks ahimsa and ends the offender's chance to reform. Karma will punish the offender without the state killing anyone.

  5. 5

    What happens in Padma Purana 1.31 that is relevant to capital punishment?

    Model answer

    Brahma condemns the serpents who killed innocent people to future destruction. The story appears in the Srishti Khanda, the first book of the Padma Purana.

  6. 6

    How might a supporter of capital punishment interpret Padma Purana 1.31?

    Model answer

    A supporter might say the story shows that those who kill the innocent deserve death. Even Brahma answers murder with destruction.

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