Date:17/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/17/stories/2006101702591000.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Shocking

The statement of Farooq Abdullah that the execution of Mohammed Afzal will endanger the lives of the judges who passed the death sentence — a la Neelkanth Ganju who was gunned down for sentencing Maqbool Bhatt to death — is shocking. Is he suggesting that the judges should have thought of the consequences of their action before pronouncing the judgment? It is time politicians stopped sitting in judgment of judicial pronouncements.

S.V. Padmanabhan,
Bangalore

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The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister's remark that Afzal is innocent and that some crook will murder the judges is outrageous. It exceeds all limits of propriety.

T.K. Rajagopalan,
Thiruvananthapuram

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Dr. Abdullah's words seem to signal a warning. Such statements can destroy the morale of judges and others who are responsible for enforcing the law and punishing criminals.

Sambasiva Rao Tata,
Vijayawada

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Dr. Abdullah's criticism of the death sentence is shocking. More shocking is his logic that the judges who sentenced Afzal would have to be protected from crooks. Does he mean judges should sentence a convicted person with their safety in mind and not the gravity of the offence committed?

C. Hariharan,
Tirunelveli

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In effect, Dr. Abdullah has warned the judiciary to be mindful of the consequences of its judgments. At this rate, the day is not far off when editors of newspapers that take a stand against criminals and terrorists will also be threatened. Dr. Abdullah seems to have forgotten that the concept of a modern state is based on the rule of law and judges are expected to give their verdict without fear or favour.

M.K.D. Prasada Rao,
Ghaziabad

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Does Dr. Abdullah mean that since fanatic crooks pose a threat to the lives of judges, the death penalty awarded to a terrorist should be commuted? Surely, he could have found a better reason to advocate clemency for Afzal?

Sam Vijay Kumar,
Villupuram, T.N.

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That a former Chief Minister should have thought it fit to make such statements is shocking. One wonders whether our country is in safe hands.

S. Rajesh Agarwal,
Anantapur, A.P.