VIP culture: Should it be banned?

By not accepting the security Arvind Kejriwal forced many leaders to cut the security half

Many leaders of National and state political parties willingly or reluctantly have reduced their security half. This has happened after Kejriwal, chief minister of Delhi refused to accept security cover provided by Delhi police as well as by Uttar Pradesh administration. He is entitled to get Z plus security cover as Chief Minister of Delhi. He not only refused to accept security but also send back red bacon fitted government car to garage which were deputed for his movements in the state.

Rajesthan’s newly appointed Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje is one of them who followed the path shown by Kejriwal. She has not moved in Chief Minister’s bungalow and also cut the number of security personal and cars in cavalcade that follow her. Similarly deputy chief minister of Punjab also leaved the security personals when yesterday he was going to meet members of general public in a busy market and near a gurudwara.

In reply to four hours long debate on his government’s confidence motion in the Delhi assembly Kejriwal batted very soundly and authoritatively against VIP culture which ultimately has converted a menace for common people and status symbol for leaders. He presented an 18 point doable charter for his government. He asks every member to support his government on 18 points. The second point in the charter was end of VIP culture in the state. His logic to ban this culture, though a little bit philosophical says that if you have blessing of all mighty then no body will harm you and if it is not there then no body could save your life. He goes on further and said this red bacon culture some time create chaos in public and make them unnecessary harassed.

Agreeing with Chief Minister also want this culture to be banned unless and until a person really has threats on life and that too during his tenure as government functionary. I had a horrible experience of coming in en route of Prime Minister. I was new in the city and was going on foot after meeting with some body from bungalow of one of a prominent minister on Akbar road. Suddenly security personal armed with some sophisticated gun asked me to leave the road immediately. Convoay of PM was about to pass through the point where I was present.  Seeing unable to move fast he literally ordered me to enter in another bungalow of some other minister.

At that point of time security person posted at the gate refused to let me in, however permitted me to stop in front of gate. This was not enough as security personal posted on road asked me to face towards the gate and stand till the convoy passed through the Akhbar road Janpath crossing. Tagged with journalist ID card I protested the order and behavior but all was gone in vain.  The lesson given by gentleman was very precious for me. He not only showed me my stature (as a journalist it was a shock for me, I candidly admit) but also showed me how commoners were treated if a VIP comes in question.

I know many used to politician of VIP culture will never accept the dictum happily. It will give enormous pain to leave elite culture. But if Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his team of ministers along with MLAs continue to follow their own set parameters in public life then whole generation of elite politicians of country will have to follow the writing on the wall in coming days.