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Commendable

The Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, A.P. Shah, and the first Bench displayed commendable restraint in dealing with the quo warranto petition arising from an `ill-tempered outburst' of Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy that was prima facie `scandalising.' I recall a similar statesmanlike stance of an earlier first Bench — Rajamannar CJ and A.S.P. Ayyar — while dealing with a contempt action against Periyar for hurling some epithet at the judiciary in a public meeting. The judges did not fume but merely let him go with a fine of Rs.10 and in default no sentence was prescribed. In court, Periyar was the very pink of perfect conduct. Who paid the fine is still a mystery. But all the participants in the drama came out with a sense of relief. As a policeman on duty, I heaved a sigh of relief.

It is the right of every man to make fair comment, even outspoken comment. But when it degenerates into irresponsible utterances, law springs to punitive action. There is a cold war sweeping the country now. We should show mutual goodwill in a larger measure. The prognosis is not encouraging.

V.R. Lakshminarayanan,
Chennai

Though no contempt proceedings will be initiated against Mr. Veerasamy, the Madras High Court's observation that his broadside against judges tends to scandalise the judiciary certainly amounts to chastising the senior Minister. The court has also asserted that his remarks were intended. Under the circumstances, one expects at least an apology from Mr. Veerasamy.

P.U. Krishnan,
Udhagamandalam

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