Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Presidential assent

Thankfully, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has given assent to the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill avoiding a constitutional standoff. By raising the questions he did when he returned the bill the first time, he became instrumental in the constitution of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which is expected to suggest a comprehensive definition of office of profit. Had he signed the bill at the first instance, it would not have been formed. Presidential power has its relevance too.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman,
Ambur, T.N.

The presidential assent to the bill reflects the prudence of the head of state in balancing the powers of key constitutional bodies and understanding the concerns of the political executive. By his timely action, the President has avoided a major controversy.

Sambi Reddy Endreddy,
Hyderabad

President Kalam could have delayed assent or referred the bill to the Supreme Court for its opinion. The delay would have made the Election Commission disqualify at least some MPs. It would have instilled the fear of the law in our lawmakers. By signing the bill, Mr. Kalam has proved he is another compliant President.

V. Venkatasubramanian,
Mumbai

Notwithstanding the statutory obligations of the President, the common citizen once again feels betrayed by the elected.

N. Divakar,
Mysore

A parliamentarian has enough and more work to do by way of representing his constituency, participating in the proceedings of the House, etc. One wonders why he should occupy another office, profit or no profit.

V.S. Venkatavaradan,
Salem, T.N.

The Lok Sabha has adopted a motion to set up a JPC to suggest a comprehensive definition of office of profit. But the beneficiaries of office of profit are MPs. It would be more appropriate to set up a committee of retired judges, intellectuals, representatives of the Election Commission, and legal and constitutional experts.

J. Kumaran,
Chennai

The fact that the Lok Sabha has decided to set up a JPC shows the bill was ill-conceived and passed hastily. The President cannot be faulted for exercising his power to check such flagrant cases of Parliament's overreach.

S. Gurumurthy,
Chennai

The thought-provoking editorial "Stretching the limits" (Aug. 18), which said the office of President was analogous to that of the King of England who reigns but does not rule, was published on Friday. The same day, President Kalam cleared the bill. Mr. Kalam has respected the views of the print media, considered one of the four pillars of democracy.

G. Purushothaman,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

Unlike England, we have a written Constitution. The British monarch is a hereditary figure. The President of India is an elected authority.

It is clear that the framers of our Constitution wanted the President to be a restraining, moderating and counselling influence on the executive.

N.P. Ouseph,
Nayarambalam, Kerala

The Government could get both Houses of Parliament to pass the bill twice in about three months' time. One wonders why the same sense of urgency and sincerity is not reflected while taking up the Right to Education Bill. Here the buck has been passed to the State Governments.

The MPs might have won but the questions raised by the President on office of profit are still valid.

Barna Baibhaba Panda,
Bhubaneswar

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