The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Strange

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Strange

Sir, — It is strange to see the Opposition in Tamil Nadu demanding the resignation of Ms. Jayalalithaa over the alleged breach of the oath of secrecy. It is conveniently glossing over the fact that the UPA is committed to making the right to information more progressive, participatory and meaningful. As for Mr. Patil's approach to the issue, it was reminiscent of the British rule under which the natives were `told' what to do.

T.P. Sampath,
Gurgaon, Haryana

* * *

Sir, — Mr. Patil has come out poorly in the repartee making one wonder whether he did not do enough to make a compelling, valid, and logical presentation. Equally astonishing is the relentless pursuit of this matter by the Tamil Nadu Government.

R. Ramakrishnan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Ms. Jayalalithaa's action is debatable but the fact remains that Mr. Patil was on the defensive. His reasoning defied logic.

K. Venkataraman,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Constitutional experts have already said that Ms. Jayalalithaa's disclosure is only a breach of trust and not a violation of the oath of secrecy (Oct. 31). But in Indian politics, can there be any such thing as breach of trust or faith?

B. Rajagopalan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — A Governor is appointed to ensure that there are no constitutional lapses in a State's governance. When the Centre shifts him or her before the expiry of the term, it cannot take refuge in the Official Secrets Act. The people of the State have a right to know.

Badri Seshadri,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — When Ms. Jayalalithaa can remove her Ministers umpteen times because, as she claims, it is her prerogative, why can the Centre not replace a Governor on the same ground? As long as Governors are chosen from among politicians and the post is meant to rehabilitate spent forces, such maladies will persist.

T. Prabhakara Rao,
Machilipatnam, A.P.

* * *

Sir, — The editorial says Mr. Rao should have taken his cue from the public speculation on the Centre's move to replace him, and resigned. Is a Governor supposed to rely on newspapers and hearsay to decide whether he can keep his job?

Nilakantan Rajaraman,
Clemson, South Carolina

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