THANKS to an individual citizen of Lucknow who challenged the indiscriminate use of red beacons by those in positions of authority the Supreme Court has directed the state to reduce the number of dignitaries with red beacons atop their vehicles. Red beacons will now be the privilege of only those holding constitutional posts. This ruling has delighted many a citizen. VIP cars speeding across the city and on the highway are a public nuisance. That such absurdities which mark out the few from the many and gives them right of way, in a democracy, is outlandish to say the least. In most cases it is the arrogance and pomposity of individuals which makes them seek out these unnecessary favours. Why would, for instance, the umpteen chairpersons of umpteen boards who are all political appointees and are not even elected representatives go around with a red beacon on their vehicles? The craze of power and pelf is so overwhelming that some have in fact fitted red beacons even in their personal vehicles.
Thankfully not all owners of red beaconed vehicles have security personnel on pilot cars clearing the roads for them. In fact the number of pilot cars for chief ministers of this country should be reduced to the minimum. This seems to be a penchant of chief ministers of Congress ruled states. The most obnoxious part of this VIP security brigade is that the public are literally stranded when these worthies have to pass. When Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, moves from his residence to his office at Dispur the entire city comes to a halt. When he leaves for the airport all other vehicles no matter the nature of their emergency are told to stop until Gogoi’s entourage passes. While citizens are irked by this crude display of power they are too disempowered to do anything. But if one person could get the Supreme Court to come up with this landmark ruling then the citizens of every state have the responsibility to ensure that the ruling is implemented by state governments. In Meghalaya the public have lost count of the number of VIPs with red beacons. Even people from the academic world flaunt this privilege. It is time to put a stop to the crude display of power.
