J.L. Sinha, following his death, by Shanti Bhushan (who argued for Raj Narain), Ravi Kiran Jain (a senior advocate of Allahabad high court) and social scientist Yogendra Yadav.

However, to say that Justice Sinha showed courage through his celebrated judgment is to insult him. A judge is, by definition, an impartial person while in his robes. Thus viewed, Justice Sinha, through his verdict reminded Indira Gandhi, then prime minister, of the axiom, “May you be ever so high, the law is above you.” And he was made to pay a heavy price by the Congress in being denied elevation to the post of chief justice of a high court.

— M.K.D. Prasada Rao

Ghaziabad

•Justice Jagmohan Lal Sinha, who passed away at 87 a couple of days ago, was known for his courage of conviction and ranks among the most upright judges of India. In his historic judgment, Justice Sinha gave the verdict that unseated Indira Gandhi on charges of corrupt poll practices. He maintained strict court decorum through his order that no one should rise from his seat when the accused prime minister entered the courtroom. Even her security personnel were asked to wait outside, and her security was handled by bar members. Angered by this, Indira Gandhi ordered the Emergency on June 25, 1975, suspending fundamental rights, arresting opposition leaders across the country and gagging the press.

Perhaps it is the only case where a prime minister was unseated for unfair poll practices. Justice Sinha will live forever in the minds of people who value probity.

— A.R.K. Pillai

Mumbai

Hyde and deal

• This refers to ‘Advani brings it back on table... Hyde Act’, . The BJP’s opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal is actually its reluctance to concede the credit for clinching the agreement to the Congress. It would have been ready to sign a tougher deal if it were in power.

Nevertheless, Manmohan Singh should have considered Advani’s demand for amending the Atomic Energy Act so that India is insulated from the implications of the Hyde Act. At least, by getting the BJP’s approval to the deal by amending the Atomic Energy Act, the government could have given the lie to the communist contention that the majority in Parliament was against the deal. However, only Advani can explain quite how amending our law would insulate us.

— N. Kunju

Delhi

Patriot wife

• I salute Sukhpreet Kaur, Sarabjit Singh’s wife, for saying that she does not want her husband in exchange for hardcore Pakistani terrorists lodged in Indian jails. It is patriotism at its best.

— Hansraj Bhat

Mumbai

Giddy Dhoni

• The comments of the Indian ODI skipper M.S. Dhoni about senior players are deplorable and a sign of his immaturity (‘Dhoni’s comments will not create bad blood: BCCI.). He has clearly indicated that there is no utility of senior players in his team. Obviously, he was justifying the ouster of Dravid and Ganguly from the ODI team. Does he forget that India could not have won the CB series finals without Tendulkar’s unbeaten century in the first match and 91 in the second? A victory or two hardly make a case for writing off seasoned and consistent senior players. Team India needs both the youngsters and the seniors. Victory should not go to one’s head.

— M.C. Joshi

Lucknow