Does NaMo really want to end VIP racism?

“Every Indian is a VIP,” grandiosely announced Prim Minister Modi after the abolition of the abominable ‘lal battis’ and sirens atop vehicles of VVIPs and VIPs from the President, Prime Minister to the chota-mota two-bit neta, babu, inspector downwards last week. “Cars with beacon lights have no place in a democratic country,” he added for good measure. Really? You could have fooled me.

Specially as flashing red lights are blaring examples of importance, power and VIP status, more than security aids. Think, daily the aam aadmi has to go through the harassment of in-your-face VIP racism with a misplaced sense of power on roads. With an entourage of gun-toting commandos they flaunt their “status” by blocking traffic, jumping red lights to exhibit their ‘power’ might.

God forbid, if anyone questions their misdemeanor be prepared for open fury. “Tujhe maloom nahin main kon hoon, mera baap VIP hai”, a lexicon which makes the aam aadmi feel a second-class citizen. As do other freebies like VIP lounges (airports and stations), VIP hospital wards, VIP reservations (air and train), VIP entrances (India’s temple of democracy, Parliament), VIP seating (everywhere), VIP Z+, Z, Y, X security, VIP quotas (two admissions in Kendriya Vidyalayas) etc. In fact, the very VIP nomenclature is abhorrent.

Of course, this is not to distract from the fact that the first step, a miniscule one, to ending VIP racism in Mera Mahan Bharat has been taken. Questionably, is it a chimera? Will the VVIP culture go with the beacon lights? And for how long will are powerful follow it, if at all? I have my doubts as the discussions on whether to dispense with these went on for over 15 months!

Remember, the Supreme Court had wanted the red beacons removed from all VIP cars barring Constitutional authorities in December 2013 as it felt they were “ridiculous and synonymous with power” but its order fell on deaf ears. The tragedy is that our VIPs feel their selfhoods are at stake when asked to follow the rules as they nurse a feudal mindset and demand differential treatment. Of which ‘follow-no-rules’ is a fundamental part. They rule by law.

Ironically, even as the Modi sarkar wants an end to VIPism, it has granted security too more netas than its predecessor UPA. Government's figures show 15,842 VIPs enjoying State protection are drawing more than what they are entitled to by way of police escorts — 16,081 personnel in excess of what has been sanctioned.

Shockingly, our police personnel to population ratio is 1: 761, but more than 47,557 cops are protecting 14,842 VIPs country-wide, three policemen to one protectee, no matter rising crime poses a serious threat to the common citizen’s security. In Delhi over 14,200 policemen are deployed on round-the-clock VIP security duty, in Mumbai there is a 1,200% rise in cop cover for VIPs over 5 years.

Do our jan sevaks need a sepoy to protect them from their janata they profess to serve? Shamefully, security is even being provided to those facing serious charges in court. Look at the absurdity. Even VIPs who face no threat to their life are given minimal security of four PSOs round the clock.

Bringing things to such a ridiculous pass that one sees fat waddly busy body wannabes in the sarkar walking in Delhi’s Lodi garden chest puffed-up to show off their VIP status.

Scandalously, there have been innumerable instances of MPs and top-shot officials quarreling with airport guards who give security more prominence than pandering to trivial VIP requests and obnoxious protocol. Indian dignitaries throw a fit merely at being asked to follow a mandated security procedure such as getting their belongings X-rayed before check-in.

Over 62 VIPs have complained against the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for 'misbehaving' with them at airports across the country since 2011. Leading to increasing frustration, disconnect and contempt for the rulers which results in defiance by people at large More.

Our moophatkhor VIPs jump queues with priority check-ins, treat themselves to free refreshments, high quality handling, read Maharaja treatment: Starting from Airport manager to “meet” VIP, 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 VIP’s seat number, baggage location and “special requirement at destination.”

Not only on sarkari broke Air India but also private airlines. All at our expense. More. They also demand “behaviour sensitisation” of toll plazas employees, many of whom “lack of civility” and “callousness attitude”. Why? Simply because they are asked for toll tax. Sic.

Indeed, if sobriety begins at home, should our netagan be living in tony Lutyens’ Delhi replete with seven-star bungalows? With manicured lawns, growing wheat and vegetables, free furniture, air-conditioners, fridges and maintenance to boot, down to a tube-light, all living like Burra Sahibs! Costing the tax payer an extra Rs 60 crore annually.

Further, 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. Bad luck, the hoi polloi, packed like sardines live in tin boxes atop each other.

In fact India has the highest number of VIPs in the world, who get everything before us and that at our expense, money we pay as taxes. Britain reportedly has a total of 84 officially designated VIPs. France boasts 109 such personages, Japan 125, Germany 142, Australia 205, the United States 252, South Korea 282, Russia 312, and our neighbour China has a total of 435 designated VIPs.

True, the cynics feel that as long as there is power dynamics in a relationship or position, the VIP disorder will last. Indian VIPs are aspirational for more power afflicted by the Orwellian principle of more equal than others. Also, power and pelf bring in its wake an abominable arrogance is old knowledge in our nation.

One can go on and on about the hedonism, of the majority’s growing disillusionment with the system which explodes in rage and in which more and more people are taking law into their own hands. Slowly but surely, the people’s patience is running out, and running out fast. If NaMo truly wants to end the VIP syndrome and bring equality, he must not stop at only red beacons.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of a litany of self-styled unnecessary privileges, financial pampering, freebies, perks, make their incomes and salaries taxable of our hum-toh-janata-ke-sevak-hain. Also stop pensions to ex-MPs. Ensure any increase in privileges is co-terminus with an increase in accountability.

In sum 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. The bottom line: Stop fawning and shed the colonial hangover. The PM doesn’t tire of tom-toming his credentials from an ordinary chaiwallah to a Pradhan Sevak. Will our VIPs practise what he preaches? We do not need gestures which are a total zilch. What gives?

By Poonam I Kaushish