Date:28/12/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/12/28/stories/2002122800351002.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Golden words

Sir, — This has reference to `Rajaji's call to the people' (This day that age, Dec. 19). He had said, "Mob rule and looting cannot be permitted to go on." It echoed his anxiety to enforce law and order firmly. His successors who became the Chief Ministers of Madras State had also adopted the same policy. In 1965, during the Hindi agitation, the then Chief Minister, M. Bhaktavatsalam, firmly dealt with law and order. Thousands of lives and property worth crores of rupees were saved. He was not a mere spectator of riots and arson. If all the Chief Ministers follow Rajaji's golden words, nobody can accuse them of incompetence in controlling violence.

G. Purushothaman,

Tirunelveli, T.N.