Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Surprising

It is a surprise that the UPA Government that forwarded the recommendation of Governor Buta Singh to dissolve the Bihar Assembly with undue haste needed so much time to act against him.

S.R.S. Sastri,
Bhubaneswar
The Supreme Court described the dissolution as a subversion of the Constitution. Ironically, the person held responsible was allowed to take the salute on Republic Day, the day the Constitution came into effect 56 years ago.

Y. Collison,
Chennai

So Buta Singh has done it, thanks to the Centre which could not make up its mind on recalling him even after the highest court of the land found him guilty of misleading the Council of Ministers. As a result, democracy was buried deep in the ground on Republic Day.

M.M. Kale,
Kakinada, A.P.

Nothing could be more insulting to the Republic than Mr. Singh taking the salute. Even though the verdict is not unanimous, he stands indicted for having degraded democratic values.

Ushadevi & S.B. Rao,
Ruwi, Muscat

Mr. Singh taking the salute on the day we gave to ourselves the Constitution has caused grievous hurt to the spirit of democracy. There is no doubt though that the misleading script was written by those who wanted to be misled to find an alibi to dissolve the Assembly.

Raghubir Singh,
Pune

The severe indictment of Mr. Singh is a reflection of the crass politicisation of the important constitutional post. Apolitical Governors have become history because all national parties appoint to the post only those who are about to go into political hibernation or need to be placated. Until this malaise is addressed, many more Bihars will happen.

Rajiv Vasisth,
Ajmer, Rajasthan

Entities other than the Governor, involved in the murky affair, are all supposed to be custodians of the Constitution too. Yet they failed to prevent the avoidable midnight drama. The Constitution and the basic principles it stands for were hijacked with visible haste and a pronounced hatred for an alternative government formation.

Amaruvi Devanathan,
Chennai

The indictment of Mr. Singh should serve as a lesson to those who use their constitutional posts to attain political ends. The judgment underlines the danger of constitutional norms being manipulated by such persons. Though the Union Cabinet got off with less, it should introspect on the haste with which it forwarded the Proclamation for the President's assent.

Barun Kumar Mahapatro,
Berhampur, Orissa

Justice has been done at last and truth has triumphed. But regrettably it does not serve any purpose. It is well said that justice delayed is justice denied.

S.P. Sharma,
Mumbai

The people of Bihar provided speedier justice by dealing a blow to the Centre's aspirations and voting in Nitish Kumar.

N. Sivaraman,
Maraimalainagar, T.N.

The Governor's act proved a blessing in the long run. The elections gave a clear majority to the NDA, ensuring political stability in the State.

Gromine George,
Thodupuzha, Kerala

The JD (U)-BJP combine should be grateful to Mr. Singh, whose action led to another round of elections and a better mandate.

J. Akshay,
Secunderabad

The Court has rightly reminded the incumbents of Raj Bhavans that they are not above law. The only dent in our Constitution is perhaps the creation of the post that is answerable neither to the State executive and legislature, nor to Parliament. Accountability, at least to the judiciary, comes as a solace.

Vydyanathan L. Ayyar,
Chennai

The strong indictment throws up a larger question — whether we should continue to have the office of Governor at all.

While in power, all parties misuse the post. More Governors in the same mould are bound to follow, given the usefulness of the office.

Manohar Alembath,
Chennai

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