Rajan has right to speak on all issues, asserts Chidambaram

Rajan is an acknowledged academic, author and intellectual. He spoke on issues which are in the public domain, said Chidambaram

As controversy continues to rage over the exit of Raghuram Rajan as Reserve Bank governor, former finance minister P Chidambaram, on Monday, said he believes

Rajan had every right to speak out on issues that were not strictly within his brief.

"Two mature people can disagree, but that doesn't mean one has to abuse the other, question the other's patriotism, question the other's intellectual capability. That is where I think he felt deeply hurt and decided to quit. India is the loser", he told NDTV.

When asked about criticism that Rajan had exceeded his brief, Chidambaram said "What is the RBI governor's brief. Where is it written? He is an acknowledged academic, author and intellectual. He spoke on issues which are in the public domain."

"He said only tolerant societies can move forward fast. You cannot have a high degree of intolerance. With one section of people living in fear and still hope for inclusive growth. Why not? What is wrong in these words. Did  he use abusive language? Did he maim anyone? ", Chidambaram said ". Central bank governors have spoken about things in the past. Alan Greenspan spoke" he added.

Photograph: Reuters