ITS PAINFUL

Advocate friends have demanded my Resignation along with my colleague Ashok's.

I am an Advocate since 1981. In fact the immediate past President of Bangalore Advocates Association Sri Putte Gowda and myself were enrolled on the same day. In my capacity as the Law Minister I have  always tried to positively respond to the needs of the Courts and Advocates and I think my friends in the Bar will agree with me.

I was really sad to read about the demand of my   Resignation from  the the delegation of Advocates Association. What are my omissions and commissions?

On 2nd March, which can rightly be termed as Black Friday what should not have happened became an unfortunate and tragic reality. On that day  I had left  by road  at 5-30 am to reach Kalasa (Chikmagalur) for the Election meetings, as I have been given the responsibility of the district in the ensuing Bye elections.  At the time of my leaving the capital I did not have any premonition that troubles of that magnitude would erupt on that day. Even as I reached Kalasa at 12-00 pm, I came to know about the war like situation. I spoke to Police Commissioner, DGP, Home minister and Chief minister.( may not be in the same order). One knows that Kalasa is at a distance of nearly 350 kms from Bengaluru. Even as I came to know about the ghastly happenings, I started my return journey. On that day I traversed around 700 kms. I reached CM’s residence straight and discussed with him about the situation. By that time CM had completed few rounds of meetings with Home department officers.

On the following day High Court had announced a sort of holiday to all the courts in Bengaluru. Incidentally, a Lawyer friend of mine who is the President of Tumkur Advocates Association had lost his wife on the previous day. I went to his place. It was an ironic death. His wife who was a well known Doctor, after finishing her customary rounds entered a ward, sat on a cot and felt a little uneasiness. Before medical help could reach her in her own hospital the Doctor passed away. And she was only 42. My friend was inconsolable. He hugged me and broke down saying 'she has left me an orphan'. I was really disturbed. After making feeble attempts to calm him down, I left that place one hour later. Both Home Minister and I along with our officers continued our deliberations to diffuse the situation. The one thing that I should have done and failed to do was meeting the injured(both advocates and police) in different hospitals. As High court had announced holiday, I could  not go to City Civil Court Premises too.

On Sunday, Hon'ble CM, Home Minister and myself decided to attempt to bring both Advocate fraternity and Media friends to a negotiating table. Time was also fixed. I spoke to many senior Advocates including the past Advocate Generals, members of the Bar Council etc., All agreed that this meeting is much needed and accepted to attend. Similarly I spoke to my friends in the media field. (both from Print and Electronic) Very well known personalities in the media appreciated the effort and agreed to be a part of this meeting. But Alas. The 6-00 pm meeting could not take place as the president of the Advocates Association could not make it.( He was in his native place apparently for his father's ceremony)

Yesterday again we continued our efforts. I met our Advocate General. Then had discussions with two Hon'ble Judges of High Court one of whom is the Administrative Judge of Bengaluru. A formula was envisaged. After discussing with our State's Chief Secretary, I and Sri Ashok met The Hon'ble Chief Justice.  We explained our preparedness to move forward to end this conflict by implementing around 7 points immediately that are felt necessary.

We are hopeful to see both media and advocates who have their respective issues through their representatives at the negotiating table today. We have asked the CM to reach Bengaluru canceling all his engagements from his tour. It may happen only if our friends are ready.

These being the hard efforts made in the prevailing situation, I really do not know the reason of my Advocates friends' demand. I am ready to accede to that demand for resignation, if that facilitates smooth functioning of Courts thus putting an end to lakhs of litigants and also facilitates the healthy relationship between the Advocates and Media. My sincere appeal to both the responsible professions of our society is this "When two powerful Elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers".

Please announce a full stop. The mudslinging is not doing good to either party. Black coat should not be humiliated in the manner as being done as this BLACK COAT has produced thousands of First rate Patriots. Similarly Independent Press of our country is responsible for our many rights getting protected. We have to relax our rigid stands in the interests of our larger society. I appeal once again.

S. SURESHKUMAR