Vindictive action

Sir, - An eye for an eye, said the Mahatma, will turn the whole world blind. The happenings on Saturday morning relating to the arrest of Mr. M. Karunanidhi are testimony to the validity of these words. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa may cite the humiliation she suffered earlier at the hands of the DMK Government. But there is no meaning in continuing with this vendetta forever.

Video clippings of the rough handling of the ageing former Chief Minister, in his seventies, and a present Central Minister, have impacted on viewers of all ages. These will now be played up to create chaos all over. The whole situation could have been handled with tact, without resort to weekend dramas.

At a time when children and students are concerned about their admissions and the common man is concerned about his day-to-day existence sans water, this is the most inopportune time to create a law and order situation.

It is not only the ground that has dried up. The basic values too have dried up. Winning votes and capturing power alone is not enough. Winning the hearts of the people also matters.

T.S. Gopal,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, - Without getting into the argument over whether the arrest of Mr. Karunanidhi was justified or not, the method and time of the police action are certainly questionable.

If a former Chief Minister and current member of the State Assembly can be treated so shabbily, one shudders at the thought of the treatment that could be meted out to a common man. Could Mr. Karunanidhi, who is 78 years old, have resisted the arrest?

Even Mr. Murasoli Maran, a Union Minister, was manhandled. Are we beginning to see a police state in the making?

N. Vaidyanathan,

Mysore

* * *

Sir, - To arrest an elder statesman and that too during the wee hours of the morning was highly deplorable. The police did not show the slightest respect to the former Chief Minister, despite his age and experience.

This shows that all democratic norms have been thrown to the wind.

I doubt whether we are living in a democratic country or are in a country like Afghanistan where human rights have no value.

B. Gorkeyraju,

Coimbatore

* * *

Sir, - The arrest of Mr. Karunanidhi raises several questions. The fact that it was effected on a Friday midnight shows an intention to avoid judicial intervention for a minimum of two days. There seems to be some ultra legal dimension to this drama.

Arrest and imprisonment are not something that Mr. Karunanidhi had not experienced before. It is not as if the arrest was totally unexpected. Could not the police have made the arrest discreetly? If the violence during the arrest was premeditated it reflects upon the lawlessness of our police force. If the drama was stage-managed by the detenu only our police officers are to blame for playing into his hands.

S.Charuhasan,

Chennai

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