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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Letters-57: "Attack on Dr.Swamy"

1. Temples of justice cannot be allowed to degenerate into platforms for display of muscle power. It is a matter of grave concern that an attack could take place in a court hall right in front of the judges by a group of advocates. All the guilty advocates in the attack on Janata Party leader, Dr.Subramanian Swamy (Feb.18, 2009) must not only be prosecuted on charges of physical assault, criminal intimidation and contempt of court, but the Bar Council must also take suo motu notice of the matter and debar the lawyers concerned from practising in any court of law. After the murderous attack by a group of law college students a few months ago, this incident shows how Tamil Nadu is becoming notorious for intolerance. It is Dr.Swamy's constitutional right to freely plead his case before the court of law. - Avuthu Srihari, Hyderabad.

2. The attack on Dr.Swamy is shocking. That the lawyers had the audacity to attack a person on the premises of Madras High Court speaks volumes about their unruly behaviour. The court of law is a sacred institution in a democracy and such behaviour by those expected to uphold the law is unfortunate. As a lawyer, I feel ashamed as such behaviour tarnishes the image of the profession. - Viraj Deshpande, New Delhi.

3. The total breakdown of law and order in the Madras High Court caused by advocates is condemnable. The court must summon the advocates concerned and prosecute them for contempt of court and their licence to practise as a lawyer must be revoked. This must be executed within seven days. - Air Cmde V.V.Nair VM (Retd), Manipal.

4. The dastardly attack is highly deplorable and amounts to an attack on democracy. There are many avenues to highlight the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The government should take stern action against the group of advocates and prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. - N.C.Sreedharan, Kannur.

5. It is time civil society stepped in and curbed such developments - be it a caste clash between students or the recent attack on Dr.Swami and an Assistant Commissioner of Police and others. If a person in Z plus security can be attacked with impunity inside a court of law in front of two judges, what is the fate of the man on the street? - G.P.Srinivasan, Thillaistanam.

6. It is an assault not merely on an individual for his views, but also on the judiciary and the judicial process. Unlike other professionals, lawyers take oath under the Constitution to uphold the rule of law and democracy when they are enrolled as advocates. All the more reprehensible was the shouting inside the court hall against a particular community. It is time the Bar and Bench in Tamil Nadu sat together and found ways to avoid such incidents. - S.Ayyathurai, Chennai.

7. The issue between Dr.Swamy and the agitating lawyers being personal, casteist remarks within the court premises are in bad taste. The Chief Justice of the High Court and the Chief Justice of India should intervene and initiate action against the advocates concerned - S.Gopalan.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, February 19, 2009 ("Letters to The Editor").

Grateful thanks to M/s.Avuthu Srihari, Viraj Deshpande, Air Cmde V.V.Nair, N.C.Sreedharan, G.P.Srinivasan, S.Ayyathurai, S.Gopalan and The Hindu.

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