Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Appeal for mercy

This refers to the report that the wife and the mother of Mohammad Afzal, who has been sentenced to death in the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack case, plan to appeal to President Abdul Kalam for clemency (Sept. 29). It is surprising to see terrorists' kin appealing for mercy. So many women have lost their husbands and sons because of acts perpetrated by the likes of Afzal. If they are shown mercy on the ground that they are the breadwinners of their families, they have grown old and so on, it will not only set a bad precedent but also encourage more people to strike terror with impunity. Once a person becomes a terrorist, his family should sever its ties with him. No mercy should be shown to those who do not have any respect for democracy or others' lives.

Karavadi Raghava Rao,
Vijayawada, A.P.

Once Afzal has been found guilty and convicted, it is not proper for Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and other politicians to plead for clemency on his behalf. The appeal is clearly aimed at votes. Afzal was responsible for committing a heinous crime against the highest symbol of Indian sovereignty and the death of nine persons. The law has to take its course.

K.S. Sridharan,
Chennai

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