The Judiciary is independent of the Executive and should not succumb to the dictates of other wings of the government (“ >Judges list: Gopal Subramanium opts out ,” June 26). If this is a case of condemning an erudite and deserving person on the false notion that he could view cases on some disputes with jaundiced eyes, it indicates that there will be occasions for the government to consciously err and then rely on court judgments to extricate itself from uncomfortable situations.
Let there not be a situation where more Gopal Subramaniums will have to back out after facing humiliation.
V.R. Athreyan,
Kumbakonam
The controversy is unnecessary and is a creation of the media. It is a straightforward transaction where the Supreme Court collegium (one party in the selection process) recommended four names to the government (the other party to the process), which concurred with the choices and then forwarded the names. The government was clear that it did not favour Mr. Subramanium’s appointment. Trying to find out why may create more ill-feeling and controversy. Mr. Subramanium has dealt with the issue with great dignity and sought closure by opting out. That should be the way to look at it. And there it must rest.
A.N. Lakshmanan,
Bangalore
It is only natural that the new rulers are apprehensive of the suitability of a person who had ostensibly caused embarrassment to some VIPs in the ruling party. Whether the CBI’s report on him is new or not, and authentic or not, will remain a mystery till the controversy dies down. It was indeed wise on his part to withdraw his consent, but he should have done so quietly and at an earlier point.
K. Rajendran,
Chennai
Though the latest action of the government in appointing judges to the Supreme Court is questionable, I feel Mr. Subramanium should have desisted from making the statement “I am fully conscious that my independence as a lawyer is causing apprehensions that I will not toe the line of the Government. This factor has been decisive in refusing to appoint me.” It inadvertently implies that the other appointees are willing to toe the line of the government. It also poses questions about earlier appointments.
Choodamani E.V.,
Chennai
