Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Verdict justified

Sir, — This has reference to the letter by Lawrence Surendra (March 8). Arundhati Roy was punished because she questioned the authority and judicial discretion of the Supreme Court in issuing notices to her, and the harsh and intemperate language used by her in her affidavit.

The fact that the apex court has not initiated suo motu proceedings against the Vishwa Hindu Parishad or organisers of bandhs does not give Ms. Roy the liberty to behave like them. It sets a dangerous precedent that any individual who has not got a favourable verdict from the court can start denigrating it.

If a person such as Ms. Roy, who is a Booker prize winner and a renowned writer, questions the authority of the court, how can we expect hooligans to follow its edicts? The apex court has done yeoman service in keeping democracy and rule of law alive in the country by coming to the rescue of ordinary citizens and keeping up the sanctity and honour of the Constitution in these turbulent times.

It is the duty of every citizen, more so of persons such as Ms. Roy, to enhance the authority of the court rather than be an instrument in undermining it.

S. Thyagarajan,
Pondicherry

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