Why Nupur Sharma's offensive remarks can't be justification for brutal beheading

What Nupur Sharma uttered during a television show was offensive and condemnable. Many in India felt hurt and shocked. But to surmise that her offensive remarks were responsible for the beheading of tailor Kanhaiya seems to indicate that the murder was a logical conclusion to offensive outbursts.

By extending this logic, the killings of cartoonists and others -who crossed their limits, at least in the eyes of the aggrieved people - can be painted with the 'they asked for it' mentality.

Where does it stop?

India is a democratic country. Many people air their opinions, and sometimes very offensive statements are made. But that doesn't give aggrieved parties authority to issue death threats and even carry out such threats.

India is a country that extended legal rights to Ajmal Kasab whose role in the 2008 Mumbai attack was well documented.

The brutal murder of the tailor, filming of the crime, and then the social media sharing of the crime video with pride reflect a frame of mind which was already radicalised and waiting to create trouble.

No, they don't belong to any religion because no religion propagates such a barbaric terrorist act.

All have come forward to condemn this act.

Yes, people have a right to assemble and register their protests in various forms under our constitution. But beheading of the tailor is a wake-up call for our country to separate such terror acts from sentiments and religion. Barbarism has no religion. No justification.