BJP opposes move to abolish death penalty

"BJP does not agree with the advocacy for its abolition", party spokesman Prakash Javadekar told reporters in Delhi.

The BJP on Monday said it was opposed to the abolition of death penalty but maintained that the President's clemency powers should not be altered.

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"The President's clemency powers should not be altered... BJP does not agree with the advocacy for its abolition", party spokesman Prakash Javadekar told reporters in Delhi.

He was responding to questions on the reported move of President APJ Abdul Kalam advising the government to consider a pardon for a majority of 50 individuals on death row whose mercy petitions were pending before him.

Asserting that death penalty was acted as a "deterrent", Jamadekar said "the time is not appropriate for its abolition. Rather, we are in favour of capital punishment for those found guilty of rape also".