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Hinduism: Crime and Punishment

Hindu teachings on the treatment of criminals

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Mahabharata 13.117 on ahimsa and respect for criminals, torture and the rare case for harsh interrogation, situation ethics, human rights, the law books on a fair trial, the traditional panchayat, and trial by jury.

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Key term

What does Mahabharata 13.117 teach about ahimsa?

Key term

How do Hindus apply Mahabharata 13.117 to the treatment of criminals?

Key term

Why do Hindus believe criminals should be treated with respect?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does Mahabharata 13.117 teach about ahimsa?

    Model answer

    In Mahabharata 13.117 Bhishma teaches that ahimsa, non-harming, is the highest dharma.

  2. 2

    How do Hindus apply Mahabharata 13.117 to the treatment of criminals?

    Model answer

    If ahimsa is the highest dharma, criminals must not be treated cruelly. Punishment should never become needless harm.

  3. 3

    Why do Hindus believe criminals should be treated with respect?

    Model answer

    A criminal still has an atman and remains a person of worth. Cruel treatment creates bad karma for those who inflict it.

  4. 4

    What are most Hindu attitudes to torture?

    Model answer

    Most Hindus reject torture because it breaks ahimsa and degrades both victim and torturer. Torture also produces unreliable confessions.

  5. 5

    Why might a few Hindus accept harsh interrogation in extreme cases?

    Model answer

    A few Hindus argue that a ruler's duty to protect many lives can outweigh harm to one person. Most Hindu teachers still reject torture.

  6. 6

    How might situation ethics be applied to torture, and how might Hindus respond?

    Model answer

    Situation ethics might accept torture if it were the most loving way to save many lives, such as stopping a bomb. Many Hindus reply that deliberate cruelty is never loving.

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