No more red beacons, will this end VIP culture?

away with red beacons, citizens will surely raise questions about VIP culture.

Why should traffic be stopped for the VIPS?

Though people understand that such a step is needed to ensure the security of certain top people, is it really required for every other person in power? While such disturbances are limited in a city such as Mumbai, they are common in other cities. And yes, there need to be restrictions on the use of sirens.

Why there should be a posse of policemen protecting VIPS? Do all ministers and officials need so many policemen? Or are they just a status symbol? Policemen are trained to maintain law and order, and detect crime. Why should such trained manpower be wasted on VIPS instead of protecting the common man? Why can’t the government depute guards such as the industrial security force for VIP protection and spare the policemen for crime prevention and detection?

Till a few years ago, police constables even worked as telephone operators at the bungalows of ministers and orderlies in the houses of senior police officers. Hopefully, they have been sent back to where they are needed the most.

In a state such as Maharashtra, the privileges enjoyed by VIPS go beyond this. For instance, they may get land to set up educational or charitable institutes at throwaway prices.

It is unlikely that all of these privileges will be revoked immediately as our politicians are much too used to them.

The good thing is that politicians are slowly realising that people don’t like their attitude anymore. Chief ministers such as Arvind Kejriwal, UP’S Yogi Adityanath and Punjab’s Amarinder Singh have taken or are taking steps to cut down on the VIP culture.

Let’s hope the removal of red beacons marks the beginning of the end of the notorious VIP culture.