Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Sen’s remarks

This refers to the editorial “Recall Ronen Sen” (Aug. 23). The use of offensive words by India’s Ambassador to the U.S. to describe the behaviour of those opposing the Indo-U.S. civil nuclear deal is deplorable. Ambassadors are appointed to help maintain cordial diplomatic relations with the countries they are posted to. That does not mean they are beholden to the government that appoints them and should criticise the opposition. Persons in responsible positions should not use intemperate language even while airing their personal views as only a thin line separates their official and private opinions on matters of crucial national importance.

R. Ramachandra Rao,
Hyderabad

Mr. Sen was perhaps emboldened to make such unacceptable comments because of the pro-American stance of those in the government. Parliament and public opinion seem to be taken for granted when it comes to dealing with the U.S. It is time we amended the Constitution making it mandatory for the government to get Parliament’s approval for signing treaties with other countries.

A.P. Govindankutty,
Cheruthuruthy

Mr. Sen has been quoted as saying “… and there has not been and I don’t think in the near future we will see such a friend and supporter as this President [George Bush].” An Ambassador can say the leader of the country he is posted to is a good friend of India. But to say that one cannot think of another like him in the near future is highly inappropriate.

V.V. Raman,
Hampton, Virginia

Though Mr. Sen’s remarks are unwarranted and in bad taste, I am surprised at the unanimity with which our MPs have expressed their resentment. They have even demanded his recall. I would like to remind our honourable representatives that many of them use similar language in Parliament and State legislatures.

B. Harish,
Mangalore

The outrage of parliamentarians and the media at Mr. Sen’s remarks is understandable. But who is going to treat our MPs who seem to be affected by a highly contagious disease — of disrupting parliamentary proceedings? Parliament is a place where burning issues of national importance are discussed, not where dirty linen is washed. How are we going to set right the erosion in the temple of democracy where spirited, result-oriented, educative and aggressive deliberations took place once upon a time?

K.P. Aravindakshan,
Palakkad

Privileges go hand in hand with responsibilities. Many a time we find our representatives behaving in a manner not worthy of their stature. Apart from shouting and raising a din, they rush to the well of the House and prevent the Speaker from conducting proceedings. There are even instances of some of them indulging in physical violence throwing missiles at one another.

K. Venkataraman,
Mumbai

It is clear from Mr. Sen’s words “looking for a comment here or comment there” that they were aimed at the media. Nowhere has he referred to any individual MP or MPs.

Group Captain P.V. Iyer (retd.),
Wilton, Connecticut

From Mr. Sen’s remarks, one can infer that they were directed at mediapersons, not politicians. If MPs can raise such a hue and cry over them, one wonders how they will go about discussing the implications of the Hyde Act and the nuclear deal.

Abhishek Garg,
Ferozepur

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