Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Privilege unlimited?

Sir, — I refer to the article "Privilege unlimited" ( Nov. 14 ). In the United States, if the Government feels that a newspaper's views are unfairly critical of its policy or working, a prominent Government representative would write a rebuttal in the same newspaper. In a democracy, you have to counter criticism and present your point of view. That is what free speech is all about.

Govindh Mohandas,
New Jersey

* * *

Sir, — The codification of parliamentary privileges will not solve the problem of press/public relations with the legislature. If privileges are codified as an enactment, the Judiciary will get the right to interpret them. Under the parliamentary system of government as envisaged in the Constitution, the conduct of legislature is outside the scope of judicial control. Codification will violate legislative independence.

R.K. Balasubramanian,
Chennai

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