The New Year had just arrived and not even a week had passed by, and my phones, wallet, and jacket stolen from the gym locker. What a wonderful start. But what’s important is, when the police read through the usual questionnaire to me, while lodging the complaint, one of which read ‘Do you wish the person who stole your articles punished?’ I answered ‘No’. That answer came without a second thought in mind. For person who always wanted the guilty to be punished (Though I am always against capital punishment) to bring order in the society, it’s a sure change in the way of thinking.
May be I thought these petty thefts are no big deal, while looking at the bigger crimes that happen around the world? Am I disillusioned with the fact that punishments can be deterrent for potential wrong doers? Am I influenced by the media and human rights groups who oppose the death sentences of drug trafficker and woman accused of adultery in certain countries? Yeah, but a combination of many such things might have had an effect. It’s obvious that in some societies punishments are seen as a deterrent and in some it’s to rehab the convict. Both of them has its pros and cons and debatable.
Whatever it is ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ has certainly struck me. J This was not the first time, but there was a genuine case when I felt sorry for the thief, who stole my 5 year old shoes in a pathetic state, at the skating rink, which I am sure is shear misjudgment by the thief. Probably he would have given up stealing after looking at this catch. J
However, I am recovering quiet well from the loses, which helped in thinning down my wallet by getting rid off those unused bank cards, those old business cards, few receipts that got stuffed in to the wallet for several years and a telephone with a blank phonebook, which will help me get in touch with friends out of touch and new jacket. J
