Questioning the relevance of freedom of speech in the Parliament, former Solicitor General of India and senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam said in order to maintain confidence in both the Houses, legislators had to be paid “bags full of money, thereby breaching the Constitution”. He was speaking on the occasion of the centenary birth celebrations of Trimbak Krishna Tope, educationist and former vice-chancellor of Mumbai University, at the university’s Fort campus on Friday. “Is it not Article 105 by which executive governments are made accountable by robust questioning in Parliament by members of the House?” he questioned. Subramaniam said he was ‘saddened’ by the fact that judges were allowed to become the chairpersons of tribunals. “It is disheartening to see that governments have allowed this to happen,” he said. Subramaniam also suggested that giving life-time pension to judges and comforts of medical care and other facilities were necessary for their dignity. Rueing the lack of equal opportunities in society, former Bombay High Court judge and Padma Bhushan recipient Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari said there should be freedom from all forms of exploitation, including political and economic. mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com
