Capital punishment is the most radical infringement on the fundamental right to life of a citizen. We have read of how in the U.S., in many cases, a culprit has been found innocent years after being punished. It is time nations established a moratorium on the death penalty. Punishment should not be retaliatory in nature. Murder should not be punished with murder.
Veenadevi Cheriyath,
Kozhikode
In the short story “God sees the Truth but Waits,” Leo Tolstoy brings out the trauma and tragic end of a wrongfully confined, innocent person. It is very sad that incidents of wrongful confinement often occur in America where the courts have given away many historical and landmark verdicts that have shaped the course of justice in other countries. Gandhiji was against capital punishment. As a mark of respect to his memory, let us abolish the death penalty.
M. Somasekhar Prasad,
Badvel
Keywords: Death penalty

@Veenadevi
It is very easy to make such "Humanist" comments, when talking in general terms. Ask the families who have suffered such a painful fate.
Would you remain the same "humanist" if, God forbid, your teenage daughter/sister is gang-raped & then brutally murdered.Would you say "In the name of Lord, I pardon you my brother". No, you too would bay for his blood. It's natural.We are not saints, so lets not fake it.
Although, I do agree that before awarding capital punishment, the case should be thoroughly investigated, & no decision should be taken in haste or under any influence.And if the guilt has been proved beyond doubt, justice needs to be served,.. plain & cold.No drama.No pseudo-humanism.
Death penalty ends the trauma of accused ! So I support it - let the culprits face R I in jail, with hands tied, legs bound etc WITH LESS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, and denied LUXURIES - just allowed to stay alone and repent for the sin committed - stoning them like middle ages may also be permitted to teach them a lesson - avoid death BUT ensure they suffer ALL life time. That will be better message than Death eh ! NO need to feel we offend HUMAN rights etc where case is proved beyond all doubt OR totally confessed !
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