Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Insensitive

Minister of Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes’ remark (for which he apologised on Wednesday) that the killing of L.K. Chaudhury, CEO of an Italy-based company in Greater Noida, was the fallout of simmering discontent among the workers and that it should serve as a warning for managements justified the lawlessness indulged in by the workers.

The people are against many government policies, including the nuclear deal with the U.S. The whole nation is angry with the government for its inability to curb price rise. Can all of them take the law into their own hands?

N.R. Sathyamurty,

Cuddalore

By saying that the cold-blooded murder of Chaudhury was the fallout of the simmering discontent among workers, Mr. Fernandes exposed himself to the bitter criticism that he was trying to justify a heinous act. People occupying positions of power should be extremely guarded in making utterances. No one has the right to kill, whatever the cause. Many relevant forums exist for the redress of genuine grievances.

K.D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore

The Minister’s remark was in bad taste. Will he condone political assassinations, communal violence and Naxalite attacks as warnings — signs of “simmering discontent” — against the political and socio-economic policies of governments?

M.K. Nagaratnam,

Coimbatore

Mr. Fernandes raised the relevant issues of permanent and contract labour at a wrong time. After being part of a government which has been diluting the bargaining strength of labour and advocating the gradual adoption of the hire-and-fire form of labour reforms, it was ironical to see him espousing their cause at the time of the death of an executive by mob fury. Such misguided reactions are opportunistic and will only help the anti-labour gang-up. While the labour reforms aimed at weakening the working class need to be fought vehemently, the unlawful action of the workers in Noida deserves to be condemned unreservedly.

Kasim Sait,

Chennai

It is strange that employees who toil for a mutually beneficial relationship with a company can turn so violent as to kill the CEO. It is time more stringent practices with regard to conduct, procedures to be adopted in contingencies, and legal aid were put in place.

An environment of empathy and harmony — in which the managements do not exploit the employees for profits and employees exercise restraint and understand the policies of the management — will lead to the establishment of healthy corporations.

Neha Singh,

Gurgaon

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