The Italian government is moving toward legalising chemical castration of violent sex offenders including rapists and paedophiles, a move which won the support of Indian actress Preity Zinta.

The actress on Wednesday hailed the proposed law entailing extreme punishment to the offenders, hoping the Indian government would take similar measures in the future. In a post on X, Zinta called it a “fantastic move.”

“What a fantastic move ! Hope @mygovindia also does sometime similar. What do you think folks ? It’s high time there is zero tolerance for such crimes,” she posted on X.

What a fantastic move ! Hope @mygovindia also does sometime similar. What do you think folks ? It’s high time there is zero tolerance for such crimes. https://t.co/gXqMjMwtwX
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) December 18, 2024

Her post drew reactions from many who believed a punishment of such degree is crucial for women safety. “It will be good for the safety of women,” a user commented. “It’s crucial for the government to instill such fear in potential offenders that they would think twice or even a hundred times before committing any heinous acts, considering the severe repercussions,” wrote another.

On the other hand, a few argued that there are many who get falsely accused of sexual offences and that a proper investigation is necessary before castrating the individuals.

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Italy’s castration move

Daily Mail reported that in September, the Italian parliament in Rome gave its approval for creation of a committee to draft laws on using androgen-blocking drugs on sex offenders. This treatment, however, would be consensual and reversible. Interestingly, the offenders will be offered a choice to either undergo castration or serve prison sentence.

According to Daily Mail, the law was proposed by a far-right wing coalition party in the government led by Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni.

The proposal is also facing resistance as many including the opposition parties argue that chemical castration is ‘extremist’ and ‘violation of humanity and justice.’

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Notably, Italy is not the only country taking this measure. As many as 11 paedophiles underwent chemical castration in Kazakhstan last month and the worst offenders even reportedly had their genitals removed. Russia is also reportedly mulling the same after a pro-Putin party proposed chemical castration following a series of paedophile cases in Moscow.

Madagascar’s parliament also approved in March to surgically castrate those who sexually abuse children under age 10. They will also face life imprisonment. If the kids are aged between 10 and 13, they will be castrated and sentenced to 15-20 years of forced labour.