Governor’s address
Governor’s displeasure (Editorial page, “This is an ‘address’ of great constitutional importance”, January 17) is always welcome in the context of constitutional morality.
After all, dissent and the demand for executive accountability are the essence of a flourishing parliamentary democracy. But it is no good if the resentment is disproportionately expressed and borders on being outright ‘gubar-notorious’.
Nishat Bhatotia,
Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana
The governor could have disagreed with the omitted portions of his address and insisted on their removal, but after approving them, he should have read them, as the article pointed out. When the Constitution mandates certain rules, a constitutional functionary should not have thrown them to the wind. This particular incident has set a wrong precedent and if the Center accepts Mr. Ravi’s conduct, it will lead to a rift between the Center and the State of Tamil Nadu. The prudence of appointing governors from other states with different political ideologies has become questionable.
V. Lakshmanan,
Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu
One wonders whether the author has been objective. Are the members of the Tamil Nadu government, that is, its leaders and ministers, following constitutional norms, while the governor alone is ‘at fault’? One is certain that the governor has his advisors and legal experts to advise him about the finer points of the constitution.
S Umamaheswaran,
Chennai
now a protected plant
The Center has done well to put a safety net around Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), the blue wonder that blooms once in 12 years (inside page, January 13). The coming generations cannot be deprived of witnessing its glory. It is also an indicator of the state of the environment.
R Shivakumar,
Chennai