Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Abdullah's remarks

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's warning that Mohammad Afzal Guru's execution may endanger the lives of the judges who sentenced him should not be seen as a threat. It should be treated as a suggestion from one who is familiar with the affairs of the Kashmir Valley. There is no doubt that if Afzal is hanged, the nation will become a target of more terrorist strikes.

On the other hand, the elimination of Afzal is not an end in itself. Terrorist groups will glorify his hanging as "martyrdom" for the liberation of Kashmir and appeal to the youth to emulate him.

The need of the hour is clemency for Afzal. It is not for the benefit of the convict but for the welfare of the whole nation.

Thadigiri Potha Raju,
Karimnagar, A.P.

Death cannot be construed as punishment by law. Most of those who clamour for Afzal's execution do not know the ground reality in Kashmir.

Dennis J. D'Costa,
Villupuram, T.N.

Politicians like Dr. Abdullah do more harm than good by making incendiary and provocative remarks.

The nation cannot be worse off by hanging a hardcore terrorist who has shown no remorse and has not even filed a mercy petition. May the country be rid of one such crook first and then worry about the crooks who may kill the judges who sentenced him to death.

Chapa Murali,
Tirupati, A.P.

It was shocking to find Dr. Abdullah acting like a spokesman for terrorists while pleading for Afzal's clemency. The media should ignore such propaganda.

A. Meghana,
Hyderabad

If the argument of rights activists is to be considered, the death penalty should be abolished. If regional sentiment becomes the basis of clemency for Afzal, it should be extended henceforth to militants of all hues.

If the sentence is commuted in the interest of the safety of the judges who sentenced Afzal, judges should henceforth desist from awarding capital punishment.

Finally, if Afzal were to be spared the noose because he was not directly involved in the attack on Parliament the death sentence should henceforth be awarded only to those accused who declare that they were actually involved in a crime.

R. Sudarsan,
Chennai

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