Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Unfortunate

It is rather unfortunate that the seasoned Minister and politician, Arcot N. Veerasamy, gave vent to his anger by criticising the Madras High Court (editorial "An unjustifiable broadside," Feb. 7). Worse, the intemperate remarks were made in the presence of Chief Minister Karunanidhi who is considered an elder statesman. No politician can expect the judiciary to toe the line of the executive, especially on matters concerning the fundamental rights of citizens.

K. Sivasubramanian,
Thiruvananthapuram

* * *

The Minister's remarks on the Madras High Court were eminently avoidable. Such an attitude does not augur well for democracy. It seems the Tamil Nadu Government has been unnerved by the court's observations on its handling of two sensitive issues. It is hoped Mr. Karunanidhi will take appropriate damage control measures to ensure that the relationship between the two vital pillars of democracy does not strain further.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam

* * *

That the Chief Minister, a veteran politician, should tacitly encourage his senior Minister to speak in a manner that offends the judiciary is unfortunate.

Praising the judiciary when it gives favourable verdicts and criticising it when it does not has become customary for politicians.

K. Ramachandran,
Coimbatore

* * *

The editorial reflects the urgent need to curb the intolerant forays against the judiciary's independence.

The debate on judicial overreach on matters of legislative pre-eminence should not be misconceived as a licence to belittle judicial pronouncements that strengthen the free exercise of individual franchise in a transparent election process.

Kasim Sait,
Chennai

* * *

Mr. Veerasamy's comments can neither be treated as criticism nor as venting of anger as he went well beyond merely registering his disagreement with the specifics of the court's orders and observations.

As observed correctly, Mr. Karunanidhi, who shared the public platform with the Minister when the remarks were made, would have done well to admonish him.

K.R.A. Narasiah,
Dubai

* * *

Confrontation between the executive and the judiciary manifests itself whenever courts strike down an executive order or come down heavily on its actions. It is important to exercise utmost caution while criticising the judiciary, whose pronouncements are held as sacrosanct.

R. Ramachandra Rao
Hyderabad

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