Sen’s presence in panel will send wrong signals

The New Indian Express Last Updated : 31 May 2011 12:59:27 AM IST
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday did not attend a Planning Commission meeting with Eastern chief ministers in protest against inclusion of Binayak Sen in the commission’s committee on health. He had made his intention clear the moment the government announced Sen’s nomination to the commission’s 40-member committee and has not attended any meeting of the commission. In protest letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Chhattisgarh chief minister has raised a number of important issues.
The crux of the chief minister’s argument is that since Sen has been convicted of heinous charges, including sedation and hobnobbing with the Maoists, his nomination on a government panel was not only improper but would also adversely impact on the Planning Commission’s institutional integrity and the nation’s fight against Maoists. Backed by the Congress at the Centre, Sen in turn has sought to defend his nomination by referring to observations of the Supreme Court, which has granted him bail. According to him, these observations prove that he was falsely convicted and it would be unjustified to deprive him of membership in the panel.
Whatever the merits of the criminal case against Sen and his contribution to healthcare of tribal children apart, the indisputable fact is that a trial court has found Sen guilty of heinous offences and sentenced him to life imprisonment after a due trial and his conviction has been confirmed by the Chhattisgarh High Court. That the Supreme Court has granted him bail does not amount to his acquittal. And as the Supreme Court has itself pointed out in a number of cases, remarks made by the Bench during a hearing do not amount to a judicial pronouncement. Apart from impacting Centre-state relations, Sen’s continuance on the Planning Commission will also send wrong signals to the security forces engaged in the battle against Maoists and could result in their demoralisation. The UPA government will do well to review its decision.