55.2 Just Rule

 55.2 Just Rule

Question:

                     How should a king punish cruel murderers?

Answer:

Passing death sentences on cruel murderers is like

removing weeds from green fields.                                         (Couplet – 550)

கொலையிற் கொடியாரை வேந்தொறுத்தல் பைங்கூழ்

களைகட் டதனொடு நேர்.                                                       (குறள் – 550)

          Explanation:

The king or whoever is responsible for punishing criminals who commit heinous crimes like murder must take their responsibility seriously and bring the full force of law to punish those criminals. There can be no worse crime than a crime like murder. Valluvar says sentencing such criminals to capital punishment is like the farmer removing the weeds from the field. Some critics condemn capital punishment as inhumane and claim Valluvar would not have meant capital punishment in couplet 550. The alternative to capital punishment is a life sentence. The simile of the farmer removing the weeds from the field implies that the farmer has no intention of transplanting the weeds and nurturing them. Punishing a criminal who has committed a serious crime like murder with a life sentence is analogous to the farmer transplanting the weed and nurturing them. Based on the simile Valluvar has used, it is clear that he favors capital punishment rather than a life sentence for criminals who commit serious crimes like murder.