Punishment Not too long ago, there was a King.

He was very particular about ruling his country with justice for all. So he always kept a lot of wise men in his court to help him. He also appointed the wisest among those as his Chief Minister. One day, a notorious thief was brought before him. It was a busy day at his court. The King asked, What did this man do? The Chief-of-Guards, who was also present in the court replied, Your Majesty. This man has robbed many houses and people in the past three years. A lot of people have been affected by his act of burglary. Please deliver a strict punishment for him. Hmm.., the king thought. Then he asked those wise men, What punishment shall I give? Death Penalty..your Majesty, everyone shouted. But the Chief Minister remained silent. The king looked at him as asked, I am for it. I can pass a law saying Death for the act of burglary. What do you say? The Chief Minister replied hmm..I wouldnt advise you that, Your Majesty. It would be wrong to plainly pass a law like that. There could be lot of What-if scenarios. Because not all the thievery acts are same. The king did not understand. The Chief Minister continued, For example, let us just say that a poor kid steals some bread from a shop because of hunger and poverty. Would you give death penalty to him too? Oh.. the King realized. Certainly that is different. Thank you for pointing out, Mr Chief Minister, said the King. He also looked at the court and ordered Take this Man away and do a thorough investigation. Then dispense a punishment that would fit his crime. That man was removed from the court. Next, they brought another man. Your Majesty. This man is a murderer. He has killed his neighbor. The Kings face became red with fury. He uttered, a murder during my rule? This man ought to be killed. From now on, Death penalty for Murder will be law. All the wise men applauded the king and said that they would welcome this new law. Even the common people who gathered in the court expressed their happiness with an uproar of Long live. Our King. But the Chief Minister remained calm.

The King looked at him as asked, Why are you silent, Mr Chief Minister? Your Majesty. I wouldnt pass a law like that since not all the murders are the same. There could be a lot of what-if scenarios in a murder responded the Chief Minister. Now the entire crowd let out a ahh.. sound in a shock. They could not believe someone would say something like this. Not definitely from the wisest man. The King was disappointed too. He was a little bit irritated too. Why do you think like that? Killing someone is a heinous crime. A murder is always a murder to me. How can two murders be different? - the King asked. The Chief Minister calmly responded, Your Majesty, let us just say that someone tries to kill me and a sword fight erupts between me and him. In that fight, I kill him as a self-defense. Would you handover death penalty to me? Wow..brilliant now the crowd cheered him. But the King was not ready to accept his defeat. Okay. I will pass a law saying that death for murder except during the act of self-defense. What do you say? The Chief Minister steadily responded, I would not suggest you to do that either, Your Majesty. Why? the king roared. Now everyone in the court remained silent as they were too scared. But the Chief Minister remained calm and said, Your Majesty. In a battle, our soldiers kill hundreds of enemies. For all purpose they are also killings. They do those killings for our country. Not exactly as a self-defense. Now, would you punish them with death penalty too? Now the King was speechless. And smiled. These are the moments when I think I am so lucky to have you as my Chief Minister. Thank you for your wisdom. You are right. Not all the killings are the same, said the King. He also continued , Take this prisoner away and do a thorough interrogation. Handover a punishment that fits the crime. It can include death penalty too. That man was removed from the court. Next, they brought another man. What did this man do, the King asked. Your Majesty. He has beaten a girl violently and raped her multiple times. Now that girl is in hospital and is in a critical condition

Everyone looked at the King. But the King looked at the Chief Minister and asked, How would you handle this case? The Chief Minister went near those guards who were holding that man. He asked, Gaurds, can you briefly tell what exactly happened? One of the guards responded, Yes Sir. Two nights ago, that girl was travelling with her brother. While they were crossing a remote road, this man attacked them. Her brother fell unconscious. And then he violently attacked this girl and raped her multiple times. After a while, some travelers who came on that road saw that this atrocious act being carried out, saved the girl. They also tied up this man and brought him to us. So, there is no doubt that he committed this crime? asked the Chief Minister. No doubt Sir. We have thoroughly investigated. We have eye witnesses who confirmed this replied the guard. Now the Chief Minister looked at the prisoner. Did you commit this crime? The prisoner looked at him as mumbled, Sorry I did this. I was drunk. Can you forgive me and release me plea..? But before even he could finish the sentence a sword went piercing into his chest. He shrieked for a moment and fell on the ground, bleeding and screaming in pain. The entire crowd was shocked. Even the king..! It was the Chief Minister who drew his sword and pierced the prisoners chest. The prisoner was still screaming in pain as the blood was gushing out of his wound. In a hunch, the Chief-Doctor came running towards him. No body helps him, roared the Chief Minister. His face was full of rage and his eyes were red as fireballs. The entire crowd was stunned. Then the Chief Minister calmly looked at the King and said, Your Majesty. I handed out this punishment to him because rape is most heinous act which cannot be justified by any reason. Even if a mans sister is raped by another man, then this man cannot rape that mans sister as a punishment. However he can kill that man. So, there cannot be any what-if scenarios for a rape. Every rape is just the same and it needs to be punished with death penalty. If anyone can give me at least a faintest justification scenario for a rape, I will then allow them to save this man and will take my own life with this sword for being wrong. If you cannot give a justification, then stay-out and leave this man to die.

The Chief Minister is still standing over that dying prisoner. And he is waiting if anyone can give a whatif justification scenario for this..