Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Breach of privilege

This refers to the editorial "Beyond self-denying tolerance" (Aug. 22) on Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's decision not to admit a privilege motion against The Pioneer. Everyone knows that Mr. Chatterjee has been just and fair in discharging his functions and that the allegations levelled against him are baseless.

But the question is whether such charges amount to a breach of privilege. They do not. At the same time, it will not help the cause of democracy if the fourth estate were to stoop to making motivated allegations against the Speaker or the House.

V. Prasanna Kumar,
Kollam, Kerala

* * *

Mr. Chatterjee's act has enhanced the prestige of his self and the high office he holds. But, as the editorial rightly points out, expression of an opinion cannot be regarded as a breach of privilege of the House. While politicians and the people have the freedom to criticise even court judgments, how can we prevent the press from expressing its view on legislators and the Speaker?

P.P. Mohanan,
Kochi, Kerala

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