MADRAS: The Chief Election Commissioner, T.N. Seshan, said that he would “not run away” from his responsibility but would stand steady indicating that he would not resign his job.
Participating in a temple function at Manali in North Madras, Seshan said newsmen often asked him whether he would resign his job.
“The Bhagavat Gita describes running away from ones duty as nothing but cowardice. Even if you want to run away, your nature will prevent you from doing so. Similarly, I will to run away (from my responsibility),” he said.
A major portion of his speech was philosophical. “The country today is in a bad shape, There is corruption, bribery everywhere, There is no place in the country where there is no corruption, After 48 years of Independence the country is in total disarray, with people pulling in different directions,” he said.
Some of the newspapers used to write editorials advising him to “stop chattering, but do my duty.” Such brickbats or bouquets made no difference to him and the word “fear” could. not be found in his “dictionary,” he said, adding he would not hesitate to do what he thought was correct.
He said a country would not be able to prosper merely on industrialization, “Belief in Almighty is also essential.”
Article extracted from this publication >> August 11, 1995
