Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Judicial over-reach

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remark that the judiciary must not over-reach itself is welcome. In the law extending 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in higher education, the judiciary has so far not pointed to any constitutional violations. But it has stepped into the executive's shoes to determine the appropriate methodology to frame the policy. Every policy affects some section of society adversely and benefits others. It is the executive, not the judiciary, that is vested with the power to determine what is in the best interest of the nation within the constitutional framework.

C. Kannapiran,
Doha, Qatar

The Prime Minister's exhortation to the judiciary not to over-reach itself, in a function where the Chief Justice was also present, was unfortunate. The timing was significant because it came close on the heels of the Supreme Court's interim stay on the implementation of 27 per cent reservation for OBCs. Admission to institutions of higher learning and selection for jobs should be based only on merit. It would be better for politicians to refrain from commenting on the judiciary to safeguard its sanctity.

R. Sekar,
Angul

As the Prime Minister of the largest democracy, Dr. Singh should take the lead in respecting judicial authority. In a country where political interests dictate government policies, it is the judiciary's intervention that protects the interests of the voiceless people. The executive accuses the judiciary of over-reach only when its political gains are affected. Executive bankruptcy in drawing up flawless programmes for the people is all too evident.

K.V.S. Prasad,
Chennai

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Towards stable exchange rates
Undignified and squalid
Who will produce judicial enlightenment?
Like a Bach fugue, precise yet beautiful
The tasks on the education front
Euro-nationalists exploiting history
Corrections and Clarifications
Judicial over-reach
Reservation issue
National anthem row

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu