Political Diary

New Delhi, 9 November 2013

Much Ado About Namo’s SPG

MEIN VVIP HOON, TUM KAUN?

By Poonam I Kaushish

Much ado about nothing. In the free-for all election slugfest even trivia balloons into a rancid tu-tu-mein-mein. A toss between the Congress “childish behaviour” and BJP’s “churlish conduct.” All over according SPG (Special Protection Group) security cover to NaMo on the facetious plea the SPG Act only applied to Prime Ministers, former Premiers, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and their respective family members including grand children.  Big deal!

Arguably, when Modi one of the most guarded VIPs in the country because of the threats he faces from various militant organisations enjoys Z-plus NSG security why the hullaballoo about becoming a SPG protectee?  Aren’t 108 National Security Guard commandoes (45 in the inner ring) protecting him enough?  Or is it because SPG security conotates special status?

Indeed, the BJP has a point. If Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra as a private person can enjoy SPG Z+ protection and is among 30 VVIPs who are exempt from frisking at all airports, what’s wrong with Modi getting the same security. After all, he is the BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate.

Besides, an escalation to SPG cover from NSG would effectively indirectly raise Modi's profile, giving him and the BJP a psychological victory, which the Congress-led UPA wants to avoid at all cost.

But the issue is not security to Modi or not. It encompasses the entire political spectrum. Given that in the slim strip called ‘official’, plutocracy (rule by wealth), kleptocracy (rule by theft) and powercracy (rule by arrogance) our   netagan of all shapes and sizes, stripes and colours, communal and secular spend crores of the tax payers hard-earned money on showcasing their power via elaborate security paraphernalia.

Do they actually deserve this extra importance? Not at all. Think, the 3,500-member strong SPG has spent over Rs 1,800 crore in protecting the Gandhis', Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his predecessor Vajpayee since 2004. And over Rs 450 crores only on ‘protecting’ 400+plus VIPs annually while the monies meant to protect over the billion-plus people from terror is a measly Rs.158 crores.

Shockingly, over 50 per cent of the entire police force is deployed to guard over 2,500 such VIPs in a country that has, perhaps, the lowest per capita policing — 10 armed cops for 1 lakh people. Not only that. Once in power, status and style matter.

In Delhi alone, over 14,200 policemen are deployed on round-the-clock VIP security duty ---- Special Protection Group for the top of the ladder, followed by Z-plus provided by NSG “black cats” consisting of six personal security officers, two head constables, 12 constables, in a cavalcade of AK47 toting ‘black cats’ in a convoy of cars including one pilot vehicle with ‘lal batti.’  Then come the minions with Z (68 VIPs), Y (243) and X (81) categories. Salaam Independent India’s neo Maharajas!

Our leaders demand AK 47 wielding security men and yell blue murder if it is withdrawn. 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 wannabes walking in Delhi’s Lodi garden chest puffed-up to show-off their VIP status and cars. Today, even High Court judges and police personnel are entitled to two personal security officers. Sic.

But it doesn’t end just there. During the Budget session, the Lok Sabha witnessed an ugly scramble for VVIP status. Livid MPs yelled blue murder over the down-grading of their security cover. “We are vital for the country… you will have blood on your hands…,” they yelled. Really? Never mind they want protection from the people they profess to protect!

Alas, we seem to live in an India where only VVIPs matter. They are two sets of laws: rule of law for us and rule by law for them. Of which ‘follow-no-rules’ is a fundamental part. Of in-your-face security, convoys of screeching lal batti gaddis filled with gun-toting bodyguards jumping traffic lights causing accidents and making a nuisance of themselves. Honey, all to exhibit their the Status of power they wield. God forbid, if anyone questions their misdemeanor, be prepared for open fury.

Imagine over Rs 108 crore worth of security paraphernalia has been installed to protect our netagan (sic).Ironic, isn’t it, that for our law-makers, security has turned into an obsession. Today, Parliament has become an impregnable fortress. Not for terrorists but for the citizens who elected their jan sevaks, despite some criminals adorning Parliamentary benches.

The obtrusive security personnel highlight their power, wealth and self-importance. Ever at war with the public who greets this with cynicism and palpable anger. Shockingly, the entrance to this high temple of democracy has been segregated: one for the MPs, one for the aam aadmi. But, we are a democracy, sic!

The tragedy is that even as the country saunters into the 21st century for our ruling rajas the vestige of 19th century India still lingers on. Bruised by a feudal oligarchy, colonial hangover and pummeled self-esteem our leaders have barricaded themselves from growing public anger with more security and erecting metal nets at rallies. Wherein there is a wide chasm between the aam aadmi and our khaas aadmis. Leading to increasing frustration, disconnect and contempt for the leaders

Not a few aver that politics is all about perception. That there’s justifiably a strong element of symbolism and show associated with a neta flaunting his battery of security. A convenient excuse for their two afflictions: Acute Orwellian syndrome of “some are more equal than others” and Oliver’s disorder, “always asking for more”.

Scandalously, the result of this explosion of VVIP security is that commandoes meant for anti-terror operations have been diverted to protect our naam ke vaste leaders. Never mind that only our garib desh provides security cover to all and sundry unlike the USA, UK, Germany etc which provide security to only a handful of their leaders.

In the US, in general, permanent protectees, such as the President and First Lady, have Secret Service special agents permanently assigned to them from. Temporary protectees, like Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates and their wives are protected by the Secret Service only for four months prior to elections. A former President is given protection limited to 10 years after he leaves office.

Clearly the time has come for our polity to realize that any increase in privileges is co-terminus with an increase in accountability. Gone are the days when netas were revered, today they symbolize everything that plagues India, warts and all. Our leaders need to remember: A Government which protects its own security only, is but a carcass and soon falls by its own decay. What do you say? ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News and Feature Alliance)