Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Clemency appeal

President Abdul Kalam has set a wrong precedent by granting an audience to the family of Mohammed Afzal Guru, who has been awarded the death penalty in the Parliament attack case. Tabassum, wife of the convicted terrorist, has reiterated that her husband does not have faith in the judiciary and that Kashmiris do not get justice. Why should the President meet the relatives of one who has no faith in the system and is least repentant for his act of violence against the highest democratic institution, and entertain their pleas for clemency on his behalf?

G.M. Rama Rao,
Visakhapatnam

The appeal is an act of sheer audacity. Afzal's family members have pleaded for clemency neither on humanitarian grounds nor out of remorse. On the contrary, they have alleged that Kashmiris do not get justice, Afzal has not been given a fair trial and that he has lost all faith in the system.

Anil Ekbote,
Hyderabad

The various grounds on which clemency is being sought for Afzal by his supporters are: capital punishment is inhuman and therefore he should be forgiven; he did not get a fair trial; he is not a direct offender but only provided logistical support; and his execution will give rise to unrest in Kashmir.

Afzal has not expressed remorse for his act and has refused to file a mercy petition. So there is no question of forgiving him. As for the charge of unfair trial, we cannot allow our justice system to be undermined. Aiding and abetting a crime is as serious as committing a crime. And the argument that he should be let off on grounds of political or social expediency is too pernicious to be entertained.

S. Sundararaman,
Bangalore

It is unfortunate that some are pleading Afzal's case because he is from Kashmir and belongs to a particular religion. The case should serve as an eye-opener for the Government. It should realise that going soft on terrorism and following the policy of appeasement do not pay.

Ompal Singh Bhati,
Jodhpur

An incensed man kills another; he is tried and sentenced. His community does not matter. The agitation to commute the sentence of hanging a criminal who planned and committed mass murder deserves no sympathy. Ghulam Nabi Azad has politicised the criminal justice system of the country. A criminal has to pay for his act and the victims of his action should feel that justice has been done.

B. Rathnakar Rai,
Bangalore

Repenting individuals can be considered for grant of clemency but not hardcore terrorists like Afzal. If his sentence is commuted, it will deal a deathblow to the morale of the security forces. That the Chief Minister of a terror-torn State like Kashmir finds it fit to plead for clemency on a convicted terrorist's behalf shows the state's reluctance to defend its security and sovereignty. Terrorism has reached a stage where elimination is the only option left.

Ramakrishna Thakur,
Chirala, A.P.

The appeal for clemency by Afzal's family is understandable. What is not is the hue and cry being raised by some sections of the media, politicians, rights activists and intellectuals. Terrorists are those who are ready to die to kill indiscriminately. Doubting the laborious legal process, and giving disproportionate publicity to the family of a terrorist boost the morale of those who sponsor and commit terrorist acts. Even if we cannot prevent terrorism, the least we can do is to allow the guilty to be punished. In the case under review, the convicted person has not even expressed regret but questioned the judgment. This is not a case of plain murder.

K. Rama Rao,
Visakhapatnam

After politicians, it is now the turn of the erudite intelligentsia to jump into the save Afzal bandwagon. Surprisingly, it does not seem to spare a thought for those who died protecting Parliament.

R. Sridharan,
Bangalore

Only a victim of terrorism can empathise with the family of those killed in terror attacks. There should be no second thoughts on awarding Afzal the death penalty. I appeal to the media not to glorify the likes of Afzal as heroes.

S.K. Suman & S. Mitra,
New Delhi

If Afzal is shown mercy, all efforts of the judiciary, security personnel and police will end in vain. It will send a wrong signal to the people and the Government will lose credibility. Pleading a terrorist's cause is a cruel joke on the people.

K. Ramachandran,
Usilampatti, T.N.

While I am no apologist for Afzal or indeed any other murderer, I wish to state that in any case involving a capital crime, if there is even the faintest trace of the trial not having been conducted in a fair, just and transparent manner, the death penalty should not be awarded. Knowing our system, we cannot rule out errors in investigation.

In the Afzal case, serious doubts have been cast on the impartiality of the proceedings. There was immense pressure on the police to get a conviction. Not much will be gained by hanging him but a lot of bad blood will be created.

S.N. Samuel,
Salem, T.N.

Capital punishment has lost its deterrent value with the advent of the so-called jihadis. A worldwide revamp of the criminal procedure code is called for. Let India set an example by abolishing the death penalty.

A. Balagangadharan,
Pollachi, T.N.

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