Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The death sentence

The reasons cited by advocates of clemency for Mohammed Afzal Guru — that he has a family to look after, we should respect the feelings of Kashmiris, his hanging will affect the India-Pakistan peace process and so on — are unconvincing. The man who spared no thought for the families of his victims cannot be shown mercy because his family will be affected. And besides the people of Kashmir, the people of other States too matter.

Afzal's death sentence should be commuted because as Gandhiji pointed out, only the person who creates can destroy. Executing him is not punishment, but revenge.

B.K. Singh,
Rudrapur, U.P.

When the debate on the abolition of the death penalty is gaining momentum worldwide, Afzal's hanging would be inappropriate. The eye-for-an-eye principle is primitive in nature.

The death penalty has not succeeded in preventing murder and other heinous crimes. By executing Afzal, the state should not become an avenger. Imprisonment till death is a better option.

Dharmaraj Joseph,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

Let our decision not be emotional. By hanging Afzal, we will end up making him a hero. Taking a cue from the American jury's verdict on the 20th hijacker of 9/11, Zacarias Moussaoui, India should throw Afzal in jail for the rest of his life.

Guru Sundaram,
Ripley, Ontario

The Government can use Afzal as a case study to engage with terrorists. Rather than doing away with him, a study on the ideologies that spark anti-Indian sentiments should be undertaken. Moreover, should the land of Gandhi justify killing by killing?

Joicy George,
Kochi, Kerala

Those who advocate clemency for Afzal should ask themselves whether they would be equally generous if they were the victims.

Parasuram Sharma,
Chennai

The killing of innocent people in a stealthy, cold-blooded manner deserves no clemency.

K. Venkatachari,
Pollachi, T.N.

Should the rule of law be guided by emotions? If Afzal is shown mercy, what will be the impact on those who lost their family members on December 13, 2001? The attack on Parliament was an attack on India's sovereignty and democracy.

A. Vibha,
Ghaziabad, U.P.

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