Political Diary
New Delhi, 4 April 2015
Mein VIP Hoon
DARLING, I PAY FOR
YOUR NARCISSIM
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Sadly, yesterday’s princes have been replaced by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)
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