Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

A shame!

It is a matter of shame that the families of the security personnel who died in the Parliament attack have returned the gallantry medals they received to protest the delay in carrying out the execution of Mohammed Afzal, prime accused in the case.

As one of them rightly pointed out, it is the judiciary that has awarded him the death sentence and there is no need to indulge in politics over it. Politicking on such a serious issue is bound to diminish patriotic fervour.

J. Srinivasan,
Dindigul

* * *

The families have done the right thing. It is clear the security men laid down their lives in vain for thankless politicians. It appears that in India, the life of a terrorist is more important than the life of a security person.

Udita Agrawal,
New Delhi

* * *

Union Home Minister has said deciding on clemency petitions is not a simple exercise. Is not keeping a condemned prisoner for years together without taking a decision on executing him cruel? Either abolish the death sentence or carry it out without delay, the former being better, in my opinion.

V.S. Venkatavaradan,
Salem

* * *

The relatives of the dead did not accept the medals on the condition that the accused in the case would be hanged. By returning the medals, they have insulted the dead, the Government that awarded them, and the President, whose prerogative it is to grant or refuse clemency.

M.A. Sadanand,
Chennai

* * *

If the attack on Parliament was a shame, the returning of the medals is an even greater shame on the nation. Another blow has been dealt to the morale of our security forces, which is already low. Many sections of the media, which portray terrorists as people who have been wronged, are to blame for the happenings.

Aravind Vummidi,
Chennai

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