Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Back to form

This refers to the editorial "BJP back to form" (Nov. 27). The BJP is doing what the Opposition has been doing since we got independence in 1947. For democracy to function effectively, political leaders should rise above politics. They should put the nation before themselves and ensure that Parliament sessions are useful and constructive.

Raghesh Varot Kangath,
Thiruvananthapuram

The BJP owes some responsibility to the people who made it the second largest party in Parliament. Its making Afzal's death sentence an issue to stall proceedings when problems such as the agrarian crisis, poverty, and rising prices plague the country is unfortunate. It is time the party played a constructive role and behaved appropriately.

Swetha Appalapuram,
Bangalore

I agree with The Hindu 's views on the death penalty. But the likes of Mohammed Afzal should be sentenced to either death or life imprisonment. A life term is certainly inadequate as it is time-bound. After 14 years, the criminal is free and will continue to remain a threat to society. Until the law is amended to make life imprisonment "imprisonment till death," the death penalty alone can ensure that the people live peacefully.

S.T. Daniel,
Chennai

Till such time the death penalty is abolished legally, there is nothing obscene in the demand that a person sentenced to death be hanged. The President cannot take his own decision on a mercy petition and should refer it to the Cabinet. So any decision taken on Afzal's clemency petition will be political, notwithstanding the BJP's views. Terrorism is a grave offence, whether committed by Afzal or the killers of Rajiv Gandhi, and the apex court verdict should be respected.

S. Venugopalan,
Chennai

India is one of the softest terror targets. It is only because of the soft laws and flawed justice system that most culprits escape the law. The need of the hour is a quick and efficient legal procedure, not abolition of capital punishment.

Shashikant Singh,
Roorkee, Uttaranchal

I think the BJP is doing a great service to the nation by making Afzal's execution an issue. The death penalty may be inhuman but it is less horrendous than the attempt to blow up Parliament.

K.N. Bhagavan,
Bangalore

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