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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