'Tapas Pal disrespected Constitution in a vulgar way' - Times of India

KOLKATA: Tapas Pal isn't an ordinary citizen. Had he been one, his rape remark could have been viewed as an aberration. The politician in Pal should have realized that they are constantly in public glare with little room for any error. Calcutta high court's order on Monday directing a court-monitored police probe against Pal makes some critical remarks against him - and parliamentarians in general.

The HC said, "Life of a citizen is not cheap; life is precious and the protective shield of law cannot be withered away so as to leave the citizens of this State in a state of lawlessness. What is most painful and distressing is the clapping by the followers of Mr. Paul present at the venue of the speech, upon hearing their leader boast of what he is capable of and his use of expletives for exterminating his opponents. There are infinite ways for a parliamentarian to gain popularity among the masses; but it is unexpected that a parliamentarian would aspire to become popular at the cost of a fellow citizen. It seems that the constitutional ethos has had little effect on Mr. Paul or else he would not have disrespected the Constitution in such a vulgar manner. In a case of the present nature, if the Court does not show utmost concern and extreme solicitude in upholding and safeguarding the interest of the citizens, it would be at risk of being condemned as a party to the injustice."

Justice Dutta said, "It is undeniable that the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression to every citizen including Mr. Paul. However, that is not absolute." He further said parliamentarians may be reasonably expected to show a sense of decency, morality, integrity and propriety, while bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution.

"Mr Paul before joining politics acted in several Bengali films as a 'hero'. Gradually, he has made his way into politics and has been elected to the Lok Sabha twice. As an actor-cum-politician, he is an idol to many. Whatever he has said and was reported by the media are part of the records of the writ petition. When a person of such a stature ventures to exhort his followers to indulge in killing of men and rape of women and to devastate their lineage should anyone from the opposition attack such followers, and despite being informed of a cognisable offence having been committed the police remain unmoved, it would amount to a gross miscarriage of justice ..." the court said.

"Mr. Majumdar (Rajdeep Majumdar, Pal's counsel) has urged me to consider that Mr. Paul has apologized for his conduct and the matter must be allowed to rest. To whom did he tender an apology? To his party or to the public, I asked? He was silent. Apart from tendering an apology to his party, nothing of worth has been shown to me that Mr. Paul has tendered a public apology," it held.

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