In the quest of curbing VIP culture by removing red beacons are we really helping the cause?
In the current race for power, people tend to forget the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi- ‘Everyone is important.’ Two days ago, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in Allahabad, on a city tour to inspect the progress work of upcoming flyovers. The city was stalled for hours in places where the CM’s SUV cavalcade passed through. Not more than a few months ago, Mumbai also witnessed a similar incident when VIP listed BJP ministers arrived in the city to attend the party’s grand foundation day event.
This VIP culture isn’t a new phenomenon. However, VIP culture does not only exist in Indian politics but around the world. It points towards a situation in which a person of power assumes he holds a better position than the common man in the society and deserves to be treated in a superior manner.
Politicians, through time immemorial, have had the reputation of not wanting to take unwanted turns and could stall others for long. Most of us have been redirected for the longest of time. The VIP culture goes beyond the realm of red beacons. It is characteristic of our political class. Most politicians are still ignorant about common citizens who do not approve of this show of power. Sometimes, even it is the egotism that comes with this VIP culture.
Lal-batti, more than just a stop sign
For longest of time, the red beacon or ‘lal-batti’ has had special meaning in political circles. The fight for a lal-batti car was equated with the intense struggle to grab power. In fact, many political leaders achieved career satisfaction when they became part of the power set-up, with an office and staff, a red-beacon car and a government bungalow. Obtaining and then retaining these symbols has been an important part of their political life.
Prime minister Modi made an ‘attempt’ to change that. Addressing one of the rallies, PM Modi, said that the culture of VIP should be replaced by EPI-VIP (Everyone Person is Important)- VIP. He stressed that all the 125 crore people of the country have equal value and importance. He said the red beacon had become a symbol of VIP culture which had crept the mind-sets of those using it. The Prime Minister said his government’s concept of ‘New India’ is that instead of ‘VIP’, importance to ‘EPI’ culture should increase.
When Prime Minister Modi brought this point forward of removing VIP culture, it was a ray of hope to eradicate this huge gap of treatment between the people in power and the common man.
But…
When it comes to implementing such initiatives if BJP’s in-house cavalry doesn’t pay heed to PM’s message, how will the rest comply?
People of 20 villages in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna had to face a severe electricity and water crisis for almost 12 hours in a scorching heat of 42 degrees only because Rajnath Singh was supposed to visit the place to unveil the statue. The villages were informed through a local newspaper, that the power will be cut, from 19th May 4 PM to 20th May 6 PM. Apparently, two main high voltage power lines allegedly fell in the area where the chopper was supposed to land. Power was restored 9 hours later, at about 3 am when the villagers protested at the local power supply office.
This isn’t the first time
This is not the first time common people in Madhya Pradesh were affected due to VIP movement. In February 2016, a farmer Suresh Parmer in Sehore had alleged that he was forced to cut his standing wheat crop on his 15-acre land area ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally.
Where are we headed now?
We are a part of a society that is day in and day out following a power structure.
Probe into the psyche of our society and there roots the VIP culture syndrome. This is certainly not going to disappear overnight and neither is the mindset going to change in a hurry. The basis of our being is so engraved to revolve around power that VIPs continue to throw their weight around and walk around with a false superiority complex. Preferential treatment for them seems to be their birthright.
Every known organisation is faced with this difficulty. The moment the higher authorities demand privileges, the longer the list for wrongful entitlements grows. Not too long ago, an enraged MP of Andhra Pradesh slapped the station manager of Air India since he refused to accommodate the minister and his relatives because they reached the airport after boarding time was over.
Be it airborne or land routes, VIP culture can be witnessed in all spheres. The red beacon is only one caricature in the extensive list of false supremacy that comes with this culture that we need to do away with.
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