The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Governors' dismissal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Governors' dismissal

Sir, — The dismissal of four State Governors by the United Progressive Alliance Government is unwarranted. The Governors have been removed for their RSS background. But the RSS is not a banned organisation.

J.G. Arora,
Mumbai

Sir, — At a time when the UPA Government showed healthy and positive signs of adherence to democratic traditions, the abrupt dismissal of the Governors has cast a shadow. When erstwhile foes have been accepted as friends for running a coalition, what harm would have come if a constitutional Head of State had been allowed to complete his term?

S. Raghavan,
New Delhi

Sir, — Every time there is change of guard at the Centre, there is an outcry for replacing the Governors appointed by the previous Government.

G.K.S. Kandasubramanian,
Sivaganga, T.N.

Sir, — On the one hand, the Constitution states that the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President and, on the other, says that his term is for five years. If he holds office during the pleasure of the President, the tenure should not be specified. If his tenure is fixed, he should be removed only by impeachment as in the case of the President.

K. Ramachandra Rao,
Mysore

Sir, — Before proving its commitment to secularism by dismissing the Governors, the UPA Government could have proved its commitment to the electorate by removing the `tainted' Ministers.

Surya Prakash Pati,
Anantapur, A.P.

Sir, — Is the RSS anti-national? If so why is it not banned? Why did the Congress not protest the Governors' appointment when in the Opposition.

V.E. Venkataramani,
Chennai

Sir, — The Government, it seems, has used the `hire and fire' policy against the Governors. The move is blatant politicisation of high constitutional office.

N.V. Ramaswamy,
Bangalore

Sir, — If a Governor can be removed just for the ideology he or she subscribes to, it calls into question the premise that Governors shall act without political affiliation.

K. Srinivasan,
Tiruchi, T.N.

Sir, — The office of Governor is not an office of profit and an incumbent has no security of tenure. There seems to be nothing unethical about removing Governors with a change in the government.

One is at a loss to understand the logic behind the BJP's criticism as Governors are appointed on political considerations and the post is often a reward given by the ruling party.

V.K. Sathyavan Nair,
Kottayam, Kerala

Sir, — Insisting that Governors should subscribe to the same school of thought as the party ruling at the Centre will undermine the federal structure of the country and reinforce the view that Raj Bhavans are extension counters of the Union Cabinet.

A.R. Karthyck,
Chennai

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