Letters-61: "Chennai High Court Incidents: Appalling"

1. The behaviour of lawyers in the Madras High Court first when they assaulted Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy inside the court hall and on February 19, when they indulged in a pitched battle with the police on the court premises was appalling. It will be apposite to quote a passage from a celebrated decision of the Supreme Court: "The legal profession is a solemn and serious occupation. It is a noble calling and all those who belong to it are its honourable members. Although entry to the profession can be had by acquiring merely the qualification of technical competence, honour as a professional has to be maintained by its members by their exemplary conduct both in and outside the court." - M.Mahadevan, Kovilpatti.

2. When the police remained mere onlookers during the violence in the Chennai law college, they were widely criticised. And now by taking action against lawyers in the High Court, they have landed in a fix. Under which law are lawyers permitted to behave in an unruly manner? - S.Shankar, Chennai.

3. The police are a disciplinary force who are denied rights like trade unionism. It is only reasonable that they are treated fairly. In the High Court incident, the judiciary seems to be treating the lawyers with kid gloves although public opinion is critical of their conduct. - S.Rajagopalan, Chennai.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, March 4, 2009 ("Letters to the Editor")

Grateful thanks to M/s.M.Mahadevan, S.Shankar and S.Rajagopalan and The Hindu.