This refers to the editorial, “Right decision, wrong reason” (May 16), on the Narendra Modi government’s decision to put on hold the death sentence for the former Minister Mayaben Kodnani and Bajrang Dal leader Babu Bajrangi. It was not prompted by considerations of the sanctity of life or the current reformist ideology that the death penalty does not act as a deterrent. It is the Sangh Parivar which has exerted pressure on Mr. Modi, which shows his vulnerability at a time when he is being hailed as an able administrator and aiming to capture the top executive post in the country. Ambivalence, prevarication and dithering are not the hallmarks of any able leader. This applies to Mr. Modi more than anyone else.
A. Michael Dhanaraj,
Coimbatore
