While the Supreme Court’s judgment restraining the government from publishing the photographs of political or prominent persons in government advertisements, obviously with an intent to curb the self-aggrandisement of political leaders using public money, is welcome (“Politicians lose space in govt. ads”, May 14), it is the tinkering with some of the recommendations of the Madhava Menon Committee that does not appear to be in conformity with reality. For issues relating to a State, the Chief Minister’s face is the ideal identity. Further, the difference between “Government messaging” and “politically motivated ads” is very nebulous and thin. The chances of ‘misuse’ on election eve is a distinct probability.
Ayyasseri Raveendranath,Aranmula, Kerala
The judgment upholds democracy and its basic tenets while striking a blow against political mischief and financial impropriety. Government advertisements have increasingly become the medium through which politicians can spread their name and ‘goodwill’. In a democracy, it is the prerogative and the duty of the ruling party and its members to fulfil their promises and to work for the welfare of the citizenry. So, where is the scope for taking credit for specific policies and programmes? And why is there a need for every ministry or department to promulgate similar advertisements in order to keep the political bosses happy?
Amritpal Singh,New Delhi
Every morning, one opens the newspaper only to find a series of full page ads, pull-outs and advertisement features sponsored by governments, both Central and State, which tend to be panegyric and at the taxpayer’s expense.The judgment should help rein in such gimmicks and wasteful expenditure.
P. Prasand Thampy,Thiruvalla, Kerala
In the last two decades, whichever the party is in power, in the State or at the Centre, it has increasingly resorted to using and issuing advertisements in the print and visual media which is almost akin to a form of paid news. When there are already freebies and populist schemes that entail a heavy financial burden to the exchequers, why this? The executive must learn to curb wasteful expenditure and take judicial pronouncements such as this in the right spirit.
R. Krishnamachary,Chennai
In the list of persons exempted, I would focus on the Prime Minister. Have we forgotten the BJP’s advertisements that targeted the AAP during the Delhi election campaign? Did it not have backing from the highest office in the BJP? Also, in this case, the government appears to have built governance largely around the personality cult of the Prime Minister. Moreover, as a party in Parliament with a brute majority, the Prime Minister would want to go all out to highlight the achievements of the party and government in order to gain political mileage. The verdict seems futile on these grounds.
Urvashi Yadav,New Delhi
