Mein VIP Hoon
By Poonam I Kaushish
The more things change the more they remain the same. Daily we are treated to some mindless antics, inane tantrums, silly shenanigans et al by our rulers. For them politics translates in to the conduct of public affairs for private advantage!
The latest high jinxes of our VIPs take the cake. Dissatisfied with their existing freebies they now demand special VIP lanes are earmarked at all airports and railway stations so that they can breeze through. Never mind, the aam aadmi is crammed in one lane resulting in mammoth traffic backlogs! Question them? God forbid be prepared for open fury. Main khaas aadmi hoon, tum kaun?
This is not all. Their list of demands: Allowed access to the airport through a special entrance, jump queues with priority check-ins, treated to freebie refreshments in first-class or priority lounges and assigned an airline representative to handle their needs and escort them to the plane. Not only on Sarkari broke Air India or Indian Airlines, but also private airlines. All at our expense.
More. While travelling they demand high quality handling, read Maharaja treatment: Starting from Airport manager to “meet” MP, accommodate in lounge, escort to plane and cabin crew to offer “compliments of the Captain”. Manager to “monitor”, “liaise” and “ensure” flight operates on schedule, inform counterpart of MP’s seat number, baggage location and “special requirement at destination”.
Sadly, yesterday’s princes have been replaced by neo-Maharajas Ministers and MPs who are afflicted by two diseases: Acute Orwellian disorder of “some are more equal than others” and Oliver’s disease, “always asking for more”. While some would dismiss the Orwellian syndrome as fallout of the colonial mindset and feudal intent, all concur this in-your-face boorishness of our VIPs is omnipresent.
Juxtaposed with the Oliver disorder of always-asking-for-more alongside the high octane decibels of Saada Haq whereby, just about everybody, who’s anybody abuses power and public resources topped by being protected all at our expense. Of which ‘follow-no-rules’ and rule by law is a fundamental part. No IDs’, no frisking and long queues, lal batti gaddis filled with gun-toting bodyguards jumping red lights to exhibit their ‘power’ might.
Raising a moot point: Haven’t we had enough? Do they actually deserve this extra importance? Considering, most rulers barely discharge their responsibilities honestly and honourably. Do our leaders know the reality of Asli Bharat which they ad nauseum vow to protect? Do they care a damn? Aren’t symbols of authority contrary to the basic feature of republicanism enshrined in our Constitution? Whatever happened to democracy by the people, of the people, for the people?
There can be no argument that leaders deserve special treatment. However, it’s conveniently forgotten that the handling is reserved only for offices they hold, not for the individuals per se. The President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Minister, Speaker etc are protected across the world.
At the same time, a fundamental precept of democratic governance is equality of all citizens before the law regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religious or political beliefs and affiliations, caste, class or economic status. Unlike a colonial, feudal or totalitarian regime, in a democracy the rule of law applies equally to all citizens. No public servant, not even the President or Prime Minister, is above the law.
Alas, we seem to live in an India where only VVIPs matter, living life in the slim strip called ‘official’ in a race for privilege. Wherein there is a wide chasm between the aam aadmi and our khaas aadmis. Leading to increasing frustration, disconnect and contempt for the rulers which results in defiance by people at large.
Think. It cost the tax payer an extra Rs 60 crore annually to maintain their seven-star plush 5-acres mansions with manicured lawns where they grow wheat and vegetables, free pani upto 4000 kl per annum, bijli upto 50,000 units, furniture Rs 30,000, 1,50,000 local calls for 3 telephones and 50,000 free local calls during a year for Internet, air-conditioners, fridges and maintenance to boot down to a Rs 10 tube-light all for free.
All living like Burra Sahib! Costing the tax payer an extra Rs 60 crore annually while they continue to grovel outside soliciting a favour from their undata. Not for them that each house could be sold to wealthy Indians between Rs200-Rs 350 crores, cut into 1000-2000 sq yards plots and auctioned to the highest bidder thereby netting the Government thousands of crores or rented out for Rs 25-50 lakhs monthly instead of a measly Rs 3,800 to BJP President Amit Shah. Bad luck, the hoi polloi, packed like sardines live in tin boxes atop each other.
Pertinently, with each State boasting of 5-7star Bhawans in Lutyens Delhi with well-anointed rooms; TV, phone, WiFi et al it would be less of a tax burden if our jan sevaks reside there during Parliament’s session and when they come to attend standing committee meetings. Alternatively, they could rent an apartment or house at their own expense like legislators worldwide. Thereby saving the Government some money.
Moreover, do our jan sevaks need a sepoy to protect them from the janata they profess to serve? Scandalously, there is a 1,200% rise in policemen cover for VIPs in Mumbai over the last 5 years, in Punjab 703 VVIPs get security. Shockingly, a 2008 Delhi High Court judgment has been given a quite burial. It reads, “VIP security is obnoxious. It’s nothing but a status symbol, a scandal when a common man is killed on the street and old people strangled and these politicians get so much security at taxpayers’ money”.
Undeniably, the don’t-you-know-who-I-am’ VIP term is outdated in a democracy. That over one billion people should be beholden and subservient to their maibaaps is anathema and does not hold. It is ironic that those elected to serve the people deny the very people they serve access to themselves.
Contrast this with developed democracies where equality before the law governs the demeanour of public servants. In America baring a sitting President all others are frisked. Public officials routinely drive their own cars, meet people, go to restaurants and mingle with the hoi polloi. In UK MPs, Ministers and other VVIP travel in regular trains like aam aadmis and no one bothers to give them a seat. Unlike India where a Chief Minister is ferried in a 35-car cavalcade. Sic!
Plainly, our leaders need to dispense with the jo hukam sarkar culture. Modi needs to cry a halt to all financial pampering and perks to our rulers and dismantle their privileged fortresses. Isn’t it ridiculous that we are paying Rs 6 lakh per month to keep an ex-Minister “in coma” alive, in a private hospital, as his ex-MP wife refuses to take him home.
This would force them to experience the pathetic state of affairs in Mera Bharat Mahan and understand how democracy is undermined when VVIPs break all rules, usurp flights and train seats and how unsafe public transport is for women.
As a new generation comes of age our rulers need to remember a home-truth: Democracy is based on the fundamental premise of equality for all. Netas need to recognize that they must deserve before they can desire. If they don’t change they will become increasingly irrelevant. We do not need gestures which total zilch. What gives? —– INFA
(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance) New Delhi 4 April 2015