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Lockdown? Not For Me…: MAIN KHAAS HOON, TUM KAUN?, By Poonam I Kaushish, 21 April 2020 Print E-mail

 

Political Diary

New Delhi, 21 April 2020

Lockdown? Not For Me…

MAIN KHAAS HOON, TUM KAUN?

By Poonam I Kaushish

                                                                    

The more things change the more they remain the same. Lockdown or no lockdown. Daily we are treated to some mindless antics, inane tantrums, silly shenanigans et al by our rulers. Of which ‘follow-no-rules’ is a fundamental part, instead they rule by law. God forbid, if anyone questions their misdemeanor, be prepared for open fury. Main khaas aadmi hoon, tum kaun?

While some would dismiss the Orwellian syndrome I-am-more-equal-than-you nee VIP culture 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.

Last week while many public gatherings, weddings and events have been cancelled, we were treated to three high jinxes of our neo-Maharajas replete with the power trappings. Foremost was former Prime Minister Deve Gowda who broke all lockdown rules and got his grandson, son of Karnataka’s ex-Chief Minister Kumaraswamy married at a farmhouse near Bengaluru. No matter if the city is in the 'Red Zone' with maximum Covid-19 cases in the State.

That it was loud and ostentatious goes without saying. There were no masks, gloves or social distancing as relatives huddled to partake in the rituals. When queried, Kumaraswamy said, “It is difficult to maintain social distancing at home so we shifted to a farm… all prior permission has been taken from the State Government and several family doctors were consulted.” Added police officials, “the family provided us with 60 cars registration numbers that had to be allowed. How? 

Certainly, it was with the blessings of State Boss BJP’s Yediyurappa who asserted, “A close watch had been kept on the wedding and it was video-graphed.” So what, he too had attended a BJP’s leader’s marriage where 2,000 people were present last month. Queried about social distancing norms not being followed, the authorities fobbed it off with, “action will be taken”. On whom? Whose head will roll? None.

It doesn’t end just there. While many across the country are left worrying about survival and are sleeping on an empty stomach, up North in Chandigarh its quarantined VIP’s nakhras are insatiable as they demand fresh strawberries, kiwis, celery, bell peppers, red cabbage and avocados, freshly-baked gourmet breads, fancy ice creams instead of making do with whichever fruits and vegetables are available amidst the lockdown. Some insist on olive oil as their family eats vegetables cooked in that! Sic.

More. Flouting guidelines they go for walks, demand being allowed to play golf with their buddies and passes for their salon women, barbers, fruit juice vendors and ferrying their domestic cleaners. Big deal if their tantrums are adding more strain on the already stressed out force.

In Hyderabad an MLA used the vacant roads as a motor racing track for his son along-with friends raced in their snazzy sportscars. Flouting rules another Karnataka BJP MLA served biryani to hundreds at his birthday bash.

Undeniably, these have left a bitter taste in the aam aadmi’s mouth. Already grappling with lockdown woes and rising unemployment, it raises a moot point: Haven’t we had enough? Do they actually deserve this extra importance? Do they care a damn? Considering, most leaders barely discharge their responsibilities honestly and honourably. Do they know the reality of Asli Bharat which they ad nauseum vow to protect? 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.

Not for our neo-Maharajas the fact there's something demeaning about the idea of VIPs, something inherently undemocratic. As it militates against the idea of equality, for the simple reason that it makes citizens inferior to rulers. When special kid glove and police protection become status differentiators and they come at the cost of the dignity of the ordinary citizen, there’s reason enough to challenge the idea and rip it apart.

Clearly, 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 undaata 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.

Alas, many Court judgments have echoed what many feel. VIP security is obnoxious…it’s a scandal that the aam aadmi is killed on the street, old people are strangled and these politicians get so much security at taxpayers’ money. See the dichotomy. A Chief Minister is ferried in a 35-car cavalcade while former British Prime Minister John Major travels in the same train as locals and no one even bothers to give him a seat.

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.

Sweden believes in sticking to the rules and rejoices in its complete absence of hierarchies. Everyone is treated the same, from company CEO to its cleaner, except, of course, the King. Name-dropping is considered extremely embarrassing. In New Zealand recently, the Prime Minister’s convoy driver was caught over-speeding, faced the legal process and was promptly served with regulatory notices.

Plainly, our leaders need to dispense with the jo hukam sarkar culture and dismantle their privileged fortresses, financial pampering and perks if we have to survive as a nation. 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. Gone are the days when leaders were revered, today they symbolise everything that plagues India, warts and all. Specially, in corona times where simplicity and back to basics, is the new normal. 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)

New Delhi,

18 April 2020

 

 

 

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