Acharya Prashant responds to a question about the appropriate punishment for rape by stating that the problem does not lie in the laxity of the law. He points out that even in places with the death penalty, rapes have not stopped. The root cause of this problem, he explains, is not in the legal provisions but elsewhere. If the real reason is not addressed, the problem will persist. He argues that when thousands and lakhs of people harbor intentions to tear apart a girl's body, an active rapist is eventually born who commits the misdeed. He criticizes the societal practice of marrying a victim to her rapist, calling it a "double atrocity." First, the girl is raped, and then she is told to marry the one who raped her. This is not a punishment for the rapist but a double injustice for the girl. First, he rapes her as a criminal, and then as a husband, he will rape her every night, legally protected. This societal mindset, which views women as property to be handed over, is the real issue. He asserts that his words might sound bitter to many, but a life has been lost, and he must speak the truth. Acharya Prashant explains that the segregation of boys and girls from a young age in schools is a form of training that teaches them that a girl is not a human being but a separate entity. This conditioning leads to boys being unable to be at ease with girls, resulting in a lifelong discomfort for them as well. This societal setup is the preparation for the crime of rape. He contrasts this with his own experience of having strong, intelligent female teachers and competitors, which made it impossible for him to see women as mere objects. He emphasizes that when a boy can see a girl as an intelligent competitor who can defeat him academically, he develops respect for her. He concludes that the real solution lies in challenging and changing our deep-seated, sick beliefs and traditions. The society that treats women as mere objects of consumption is the one that produces rapists. He points out that even when a woman achieves something great, like an Olympic medal, the media and society often reduce her to her looks and marriage prospects. This objectification is the root of the problem. Until we raise girls to be strong and independent, and see them as human beings rather than just bodies, these crimes will continue. The real darkness is in our collective mindset, and that is where the candle needs to be lit.