Is death penalty an effective tool in the war on terror?

Published On: August 11, 2011 | Duration: 24 min, 34 sec

President Pratibha Patil has rejected the mercy petition of the three killers of Rajiv Gandhi. This comes on the back of the Home Ministry recommending to the President that Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's mercy petition be rejected. The BJP has urged the government to take a quick decision on the matter, saying any delay only makes India look like a soft state. On Left, Right and Centre, we discuss whether the death penalty is really an effective deterrent in the war against terror.