Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

E.C.'s order

The Election Commission's order transferring Chennai Police Commissioner R. Nataraj is justified. It is necessary to ensure that the bureaucratic machinery, entrusted to conduct a free and fair election, is absolutely neutral. Bureaucrats' freedom of expression is subject to restraints. They are forbidden from using their influence over voters, directly or indirectly.

B.S. Selvakumar,
Vellore, T.N.

The order is a signal to the top bureaucracy, which has been politicised over the past two decades, to conduct itself impartially at least during the elections. None need attribute motives to the constitutional body for its action.

A. Jegadeesan,
Chennai

The Election Commission should seek President's Rule for the States that are slated to go to the polls.

S. Prakash,
Mutharasanallur, T.N.

The politicisation of the government machinery has assumed alarming proportions and the Election Commission's order is a victory for democracy. Of late, many police stations have become extensions of party offices. The Commission, in fact, needs to do much more in ensuring that government officials function neutrally.

It is no secret that the pillars of democracy are slowly becoming puppets of politicians. As for Mr. Nataraj being a competent officer, the Commission did not question his ability.

M.D.S. Prabhu,
Chennai

An experienced IPS officer, holding charge of the State capital's law and order, singing the praise of the Chief Minister is prima facie against the spirit of the model code of conduct. The officer has failed to remain neutral at an important juncture. His continuation as Commissioner would have sent wrong signals to the entire police force.

V. Rajagopalan,
Chennai

The unceremonious act of transferring Mr. Nataraj is nothing but a slap in the face of an upright police officer. Does praising a deserving woman on Women's Day — even if the remarks are non-political — become a sin, just because the woman is a politician? It is the spirit that lends status to the letter in the rule of the law. When the law is implemented only according to the letter, brushing aside the spirit, the resultant action is silly. The action against Mr. Nataraj will not only deflate the morale of the already much criticised police force but also set a bad precedent. It calls for legal scrutiny.

K. Balachander,
Chennai

Mr. Nataraj did not make the statement as Commissioner of Police and at a State function. I think the Election Commission has gone beyond the powers vested in it. The order needs to be examined by courts.

R.K. Balasubramanian,
Chennai

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