The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Blow to federalism

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 01, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Blow to federalism

Sir, — P.S. Ramamohan Rao has been removed as Tamil Nadu Governor apparently for not hosting a tea party on Independence Day. The nation is stunned by such political moves effected without any regard for the Constitution.

T. Uday Kumar,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil's statement that the Sarkaria Commission recommendations are not binding (Oct. 31) does not augur well for democracy. The recommendations may not be the law, but all the parties have agreed to them in spirit. The UPA Government has destroyed the spirit of accommodation in one stroke.

Ramana Murthy,
New York

* * *

Sir, — The Union Government has disregarded the principle of consultation in the appointment and removal of Governors. If the recommendations of the commissions appointed by governments need not be followed, why set them up at all?

V. Krishnakumar,
New Delhi

* * *

Sir, — The basic problem, lack of respect for federalism, is more serious. The mainstream national parties have never been wedded to the true principles of federalism. Starting with the dismissal of the E.M.S. Namboodiripad Government in Kerala, numerous such blows have been dealt by successive governments.

K. Kesavasamy,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

Sir, — The Ramamohan Rao case has cast the main players in a poor light. The high-handed attitude of Mr. Patil has dealt a blow to the cause of federalism.

P.S. Sriram,
Bangalore

* * *

Sir, — Throwing the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission to the winds is unfortunate.

K. Kasi,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The Sarkaria Commission recommendations notwithstanding, all parties in power adopt this procedure to meet their political and administrative pressures.

S. Venugopalan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Governors' resignation has become quite common and only very few are able to complete their full term of five years. The Constitution can be amended to give some teeth to the post. Unless a Governor is given a significant role, the post might as well be scrapped.

Aravind Rajesh,
Thiruvannamalai

* * *

Sir, — The Centre does not seem to have a proper procedure for the appointment or removal of Governors. To remove a Governor on the ground that he did not host the ceremonial tea party on Independence Day may be justified. But why has the action come so late?

T. Rajagopalan,
Palayamkottai, T.N.

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