Gaps in the Constitution
MR Hari Jaisinghs article,
Gaps in the Constitution: time for a fresh
look: (May 7) takes me to Dr B.R. Ambedkars
prophetic words: If things go wrong we will not say
that we had a bad Constitution. What we will have to say
is that man was vile.The framers of the
Constitution could not visualise the fragmentation of the
polity, the growth of splinter groups with sectarian
interests, the rise of the hytra-headed monster of
curruption, etc. Even if, as observed by Dr Subhash
Kashyap, the Constitution-makers had drawn inspiration
from Gandhian views service before self and
austerity and Jayaprakash Narayans
Total Revolution and Antyodya, it
would have had no meaning for certain types of
politicians whose only dharma is treachery and
corruption.
Shockingly, corruption
had opened its face with the 216-crore financial scandal
that implicated Indias first High Commissioner to
the UK, Krishna Menon. The nation was then looted and
plundered by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Narasimha
Rao.
Sundry amendments to the
Constitution have no meaning today. I share Mr
Jaisinghs agony: My only regret is that its
thorough revision has not been initiated. Its
time we emulated the Swiss who totally revised their 1848
constitution in 1872. Law and judicial procedures need a
total change to dole out speedy and strident punishment
to the corrupt.
S.S. JAIN
Chandigarh
POLITICAL CRIME:
The experience of the last 50 years has proved
that the Westminster model does not thoroughly go with
the ethos and genius of India where basic dishonesty in
the thinking and perspective of the political leadership
has only encouraged fragmentation at every level of
socio-political life in the country.
With political crime and
corruption playing a dominant role the national polity
stands vitiated and fragmented on casteist and regional
considerations. Ambiguities and anomalies in the
political system of governance have grown so much that
every politician seems to run a political party with or
without any following and representation in Parliament.
The present political
stalemate and the forced general election are only an
outcome of the irresponsible behaviour of the political
leadership as it is also indicative of the state of drift
in the polity. The question at this juncture is not just
the role of the President or the duties of a caretaker
government. Nor do we need just to decide the mandatory
life-span of an assembly or the Lok Sabha. The whole
Constitution needs a thorough review.
VED GULIANI
Hisar
HELPLESSNESS:
In 1948-50, when our Constitution was being drafted, the
country was surcharged with the sacrifices of freedom
fighters, and martyrs. At that time probable rulers were
freedom fighters first, and politician last. Therefore,
every protective clause was added. They were for the
nation, and never vice versa.
The withdrawal of
support since 1979, has been the cause of mid-term polls.
Though every act has been within the framework of
Constitution, there always a question mark on the logic.
No Indian wants frequent
elections. But when the wishes of politicians are
involved the voter is helpless. So all gaps in the
Constitution should be filled with fresh amendments to
prevent mid-term polls.
HARI OM MITTAL
Ludhiana
VOTERS AS A
FACTOR: The observations made by Dr Subhash
Kashyap, former Lok Sabha Secretary-General, about the
makers of the Constitution are worth noting. But he has
not said anything about their intentions. They had no
legal or moral authority to frame the Constitution.
The 1945-46 elections
were fought by the Congress with the promise to the
people that Pakistan could be created over their
dead bodies. After accepting the creation of
Pakistan these dead bodies had no moral or
legal right to make the Constitution for those whom they
had betrayed.
Without going into the
technicalities of the Constitution for providing a stable
government, it can be said that those who are indulging
in dirty politics would find some other loopholes if the
Constitution is amended to plug the gaps. The most
powerful factor is the voters. The Constitution does not
make any difference between a most stupid, degenerated
person and a very wise and moralist person. Both are
equal in the eyes of the Constitution. How can such a
Constitution give good government?
ANAND PRAKASH
Panchkula
Delhi
Police Commissioner's appointment
This refers to
an item in the "Delhi grapevine" column
by Hari Shankar Vyas published in the Sunday
Tribune (May 9).It has been mentioned in the item
that "I had decided to try my luck through a
well-known burfeewallah to become the Police
Commissioner of Delhi. The deal was struck
wherein a large sum was to exchange hands even
before the appointment and then a monthly amount
was to be fixed...."The above-mentioned item
is not only defamatory, mischievous and malicious
but has also been published with a motive to
malign me in the eyes of the general public. I
was rather amazed to learn from a friend that
such a mischievous item has been used in your
esteemed daily with the intention to harm my
reputation in the eyes of the esteemed readers
and to give them the impression that I am a
corrupt officer who should not be considered fit
for any responsible position.
This item is
also likely to prejudice the opinion of
decision-makers and will adversely affect my
career prospects not only for the post of
Commissioner of Police, Delhi, but also for all
other postings in future.
I may mention
that I am an Indian Police Service officer of the
1966 batch, Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram and Union
Territory cadre, at present serving as
Director-General of Prisons, Tihar, New Delhi. Mr
V.N. Singh is of the same seniority. He became
the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, last year as
he was senior to me. I am the next incumbent who
is likely to be considered for that post as and
when Mr V.N. Singh is given any other assignment.
I have an unblemished record of 33 years of
outstanding service in the Police Department. I
am also a recipient of the "Police Medal for
meritorious service in 1983",
"President's Police Medal for Gallantry in
1983" and "President's Police Medal for
distinguished services in 1991".
This item has
caused me tremendous mental agony. I am extremely
shocked that a newspaper of the reputation of The
Tribune could publish such an item against a
responsible police officer without verifying the
facts.
Ajay
Agrawal
Director-General (Prisons)
Delhi
We offer
our sincere regrets for the publication of the
item.
Editor
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