*Getting rid of the entrenched VIP syndrome!* There is little doubt that this syndrome has gone to extremes especially with our politicians, and has no place in our socialist democratic republic. Ever since England, Portugal and France ruled us, and even before that we have bowed to royalty, rulers and dignitaries. Sycophancy is deep rooted. Independence got rid of them and our own set of royalty rulers, or so we thought! The behavior of our own elected leaders belied that notion. Once elected they all jumped onto that VIP bandwagon with increasing privileges, perks, immune from prosecution and more superior beings amongst them with VVIP status! They even titled themselves as honorable.
Our governor was “ Your Excellency”. The judiciary was not far behind with “ My Lord” and all with royalty trappings. Special Black Cat commandos protected them with red light vehicles escorted by police with sirens to give them priority over ambulances, public vehicles and pedestrians. They ordered luxury private aircraft and could delay public flights with impunity, not to mention exemption from security checks at airports and reserved free priority seats at public ticketed shows and functions. All this has undoubtedly led to excessive self importance and arrogance, making us all subservient second class citizens! Deepak Chopra and Jim Clifton call it “ India’s soul sickness”. My Lord and Your Excellency are only now slowly becoming redundant. Under the guise of security, they legislated sophisticated protection for themselves which reportedly entails at least 20 personnel at any one time for one VIP! For 427 VIPs in Delhi alone, besides guards at home imagine the costs and wastage of resources leaving the common man with hardly any comparative security! Additional Solicitor General Sidharth Luthra in an ongoing PIL on this subject, informed the Supreme Court that 27 categories of personnel are VIPs, starting with the President, are entitled to use red beacons with siren! It was brought to the notice of the Bench that this was permitted only on official duty, which privilege is misused. It is also common in Delhi to see on the road gun toting security personnel from another State accompanying. A Bench of the Supreme Court composed of Justices G. S. Singhvi and Kurien Joseph further stated “ Apart from top constitutional authorities, there is no need for others to use a siren. Besides ambulances, fire brigades and army, we think you should ask all others to remove it immediately!” Another bench headed by Justices G. S. Singhvi, with justices Rajana Desai and Kurien Joseph opined “ The use of police protection and red light, hooters and sirens by private individuals and so called VIPs need to be debated. We like to be enlightened about the origin of VIP and VVIP and its place in our democratic polity”. The Delhi High Court has meanwhile reportedly asked the government and police why if CCTVs can be put up for security of VIPs, it is not done so for Delhi'ites! No wonder some politicians want a debate to remove the words secular and socialist from the Constitution which will make most ordinary citizens third class citizens. The Maharashtra legislators called a traffic ASI to the Assembly hall and roughed him up because he dared to pull them up for speeding! Until senior police officers showed some spine and confronted the Speaker who apologized for them, the CM then promised to take strict action. In Goa we had occasion of Ministers/ MLAs slapping officials/ people and some of our MLAs roared into the Vidhan Sabha on motorcycles without helmet, reportedly some without number plate. No police dared challan them! Due to the media and strong public opinion, a fine of only Rs 100 each has reportedly enriched our exchequer on instructions of the Chief Minister. It goes to the credit of Parrikar that he discouraged the VIP syndrome by example and we saw him standing in line even as Raksha Mantri to cast his vote in the Panjim by elections. At the carnival parade in Panjim, some angry public noted that MLAs and bureaucrats along with family are feted in special observation pandals and places whilst comparatively not much thought is given for public safety and convenience. I cannot forget being shocked when President Pratiba Patil was in Goa on a private visit, asking why the speed breakers along her route were removed and put back after she left Goa. I was told “ for security reasons”. Further the cab for her relatives and friends also, was reportedly paid from the State exchequer. NDTV must be congratulated for making it a mission with proactive sting operations using actors to emulate VIP behavior in public places, observing people’s reaction to the VIP syndrome by showing them up and us citizens a replay! There is a written pledge circulated that people and politicians are signing to shun special VIP privileges and behavior. They have called for all the VIP signboards at airports and other places including the " Lal batti" from their cars to be removed. Either that or all citizens are VIPs says Pranoy Roy! Kejriwal has assured the citizens of Delhi at the swearing in ceremony to work to do away with this VIP structure. Only when people demand equal treatment with dignity for all citizens, will this VIP class lording over us disappear and the “ aam admi” treated with due respect! ( The author is a retired naval officer). *John Eric Gomes At the carnival parade in Panjim, some angry persons noted that MLAs and bureaucrats along with family are feted in special observation pandals*
