Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh’s outburst against his own government’s policy while visiting China constitutes gross misconduct, not only because of the intemperate language he used, it was said in connection with bilateral relations with the host country.  Mark his words. He said New Delhi was unduly “paranoid” and “alarmist” about Chinese private companies investing in India. He also said Indian security establishment was “imagining demons where there was none” and putting “needless” restrictions on Chinese investments. 

Needless to say, it was hugely embarrassing and in a damage control exercise the government had to explain its position vis-à-vis China. Not long ago, the prime minister had warned his ministers not to comment publicly on the functioning of other ministries. But Ramesh has gone miles further. Going by the media reports, he has offered to resign. What then is preventing the prime minister, who himself has expressed his displeasure at his unprovoked outburst, to accept it right away? Former minister Shashi Tharoor’s case is a glaring example of how the longer the government takes to act tough against “a loose cannon” the more embarrassing he proves to be. Don’t you agree?