Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Decline of upper house

The editorial "Decline of the upper house" (March 21) has convinced me of the extent of manipulation and unethical practices resorted to by our politicians. The backdoor entry into Parliament of defeated candidates through the Rajya Sabha route is a mockery of democracy where the word `representative' has lost its relevance. Our politicians seem to have mastered the art of circumventing fair practices in politics.

Devesh Pratap Singh,
New Delhi

It is unfortunate that election to the august house of elders is based on considerations other than merit and standing. At this rate, the sobering influence of the Rajya Sabha on issues of importance will be lost in the crowd of opportunists, rank outsiders, and those rejected by the people.

J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Srirangam, T.N.

The objective of creating an upper house was to give the nation the benefit of experience and expertise of the aged and eminent who had no desire of going through the grind of popular elections. Of late, it has become the sanctuary of those rejected by the people in direct elections. The heavy representation of the Rajya Sabha in the Council of Ministers does not speak well of the true spirit of the upper house.

K.J. Rao,
Secunderabad

The founding fathers of the Constitution created a second chamber to accommodate elder statesmen and other eminent personalities in arts, science, literature, and social service who shun active politics. But it has become a means to accommodate rejected politicians who need to be provided ministerial berths. The very objective of the upper house has been defeated.

S. Nallasivan,
Tirunelveli, T.N.

The Rajya Sabha used to be a place where men of letters and experience espoused the cause of the States to which they belonged. The debates were inspiring, devoid of personal attacks but full of oratory bearing information and sparing none. We now have either business tycoons or the politically rehabilitated who have no support base in their home States.

J.V. Reddy,
Nellore, A.P.

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