Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

The death penalty

Hats off to the editorial "Clemency — for the right reasons" (Oct. 9). Coming after an avalanche of letters to the editor clamouring for death to Mohammed Afzal, it reiterates the great legacy of your esteemed newspaper that refuses to be influenced even by the susurrus appeal of its readers.

Though I personally believe that Afzal does not deserve clemency I value your boldness in taking an independent stand on issues, irrespective of what a majority of your readers, as it seems, believe.

Nafih Wafy,
Kunnamkulam, Kerala

* * *

Capital punishment is the most dastardly, cold-blooded murder possible. At least, barbarians killed in a fight. They did not cite a vengeful law. The death penalty came with the evolution of classes to suit the powerful.

Most civilised societies have removed it from their statute books. There has been no significant increase in the crime rate.

P.K.R. Warrier,
Thiruvananthapuram

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