Gandhi:Women-Government

Of course, those responsible for devilish deeds must be punished. The Government of Bihar has not abjured the principle of punishment. There is no such government anywhere in the world today. When such a government comes into being, I shall listen to their argument. But a government which believes in the theory of crime and punishment but does not punish the criminal has no right to call itself a government.

(In reply to the question: Should or should not those who have committed murder, rape, arson and other heinous crimes receive appropriate punishment? If you think they should, how will you advise the Government of Bihar?)

VOL. 94 : 17 FEBRUARY, 1947 - 29 APRIL, 1947

Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi