Opinion Smudging lines

* This refers to Shekhar Gupta’s ‘Gently, Your Lordships’ (IE, March 29). The overall tenor of the article is that the courts should not venture into territories that are not “traditionally” theirs. The same sentiment has been expressed in the past, whenever it has appeared that the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, has over-extended itself. By and large, I am on the same page as the writer on this issue. But I also feel that when other pillars of the state have abdicated their duties, some institution needs to stand up and make up for the slack. Somebody has to intervene and bring the situation back to normal.
— Sadashiv S. Apte
Pune

* Kudos to Shekhar Gupta for his “recklessness”. All too frequently, the courts, though well meaning, have smudged the lines between the functions of the executive and judicial branches of the state. Even if a fragmented Lok Sabha emerges after the polls, it is critical that the various political parties come together and put up a joint front to pass some much-needed judicial reform bills. The MPs will need to develop a consensus on issues like the replacement of the collegium system of selecting judges and judicial accountability in order to restore the balance of power.

— Anil Kaushik
Chandigarh

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New old guard
* This refers to the editorial ‘The past isn’t past’ (IE, March 31). There is always chaos or an uneasy silence in the event of a change in the old guard in Indian political parties. This is because it is not carried out democratically. It is peremptory and guided by those at the helm of affairs, or those who have their ear. Had there been true internal democracy in the Congress, BJP and SP, Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi and Akhilesh Yadav may not have been occupying the prominent party positions that they currently do. Dynastic politics was the driving force behind the elevation of Yadav and Gandhi. And in the case of Modi, the RSS forced L.K. Advani and other dissenting party members to accept its choice. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree — such a change of the old guard perpetuates the old style of politics.
— Hema
Langeri

Rethink needed
* Think refers to ‘The two-seat solution’ by Hippu Salk Kristle Nathan (IE, March 31). The writer very logically concluded that a candidate should not be allowed to stand from two constituencies. It simply leads to the need for by-elections and, therefore, more expenditure for political parties and the government.
— Satwant Kaur
Mahilpur