If disclosures do reveal any distortion, those at the helm of the judiciary should welcome such disclosures because these provide opportunities for correction and thereby enhancing the reputation of the judiciary itself. It is very important to recognize the present reality that the integrity of the Indian judiciary has greatly suffered in comparison to what it was only a decade ago. If this is indeed so, your guarded suggestion does gather more weight.

— T.U. Mehta

Chief Justice (Retd), Shimla

Nothing to hide

• The editorial ‘Towards Disclosure’ has made the case for internal monitoring to be made mandatory. Indeed, all constitutional authorities must be moral exemplars, especially the judiciary. Since the integrity of the judiciary is well known, it cannot have anything to hide. There should thus be no problem with disclosure.

— J.N. Bhartiya Lucknow

What’s right?

• This refers to the editorial ‘Baalu Capitalism’, which began with T.R. Baalu’s poser in Parliament, “What’s wrong?” The response is: “How is it right, Mr Minister?” Has anyone noticed that the otherwise loquacious M. Karunanidhi, the DMK boss, has been silent ever since the matter came up in Parliament?

— P.K. Durga

Bangalore

• The editorial ‘Baalu Capitalism’ raised the issue of “political morality” — something so obviously non-existent in India’s contemporary politics, where the topmost priority of everybody in the power structure is the enrichment of self and kith and kin by manipulating the system. Our democracy is: “Of the politician; by the politician; for the politician”.

... contd.