Political Diary
New
Delhi, 9 July 2019
New Grammar Of Rajniti
MAIN VIP HOON, TUM KAUN?
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 by our leaders. Of which
‘follow-no-rules’ is a fundamental part, instead they rule by law and are the law. No
IDs’, no frisking and long queues, gaddis
filled with gun-toting bodyguards jumping red lights to exhibit their ‘power’
might. God forbid, if anyone questions their misdemeanor, be prepared for open
fury, “Main VIP hoon, tum kaun?”
Welcome to the world
of VIP Brats. Last week we were treated to two high jinxes by our Very Important
Persons. BJP strongman General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya’s son Akash
Indore’s MLA assaulted a municipal corporation officer with a cricket bat for
going against his diktat and carrying out demolition of an ‘unsafe’ building.
His supporters rejoiced hailing him as their ‘sher’ leader’, notwithstanding Modi making plain he abhorred such
behaviour irrespective of lineage and would take action. Last heard Akash has
been served a show-cause notice.
Next it was turn of
ex Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane’s son Congress MLA Nitesh to assault
an engineer, parade him on the streets, tie him to a bridge pillar and pour buckets
of dirt and mud on him in Kankavli. Questioned for his actions, Rane said he
was merely acting on public complaints against inaction by the authorities and
to ensure it does not happen again. Sic.
Worse, instead of
feeling remorse for their misdemeanours both culprits strutted and preened like
peacocks. Underscoring an inherent mindset of a VIP: Hum Khaas Hain. Which translates in to living life king-size and
nauseatingly flaunting it. Showcasing their power via elaborate power trappings:
retinue of chamchas who applaud even
the inane and ludicrous, enjoy freebies that they fancy and conduct public
affairs for private advantage.
Undeniably, both
issues have left a bitter taste in the aam
aadmi’s mouth. Already grappling with sky-rocketing prices, shrinking
budgets and rising unemployment, it raises several questions: Can our poor
country afford braggarts as legislators? Haven’t we had enough? Do our leaders
actually deserve this extra importance?
Considering, most of
them barely discharge their responsibilities honestly and honourably. Do our netas 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?
Sadly,
as the country saunters into the 21st century for our ruling neo-Maharajas
Ministers, MPs and MLAs the vestige of 19th century India still lingers. All
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 I-am-more-equal-than-you 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 malady 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.
The list of our
neo-Maharajas replete with the power trappings that go with it is impressive:
Ministers, MPs, MLAs, criminal-politicos and their kin if not kumha. Worse, a threat perception
becomes a symbol of power! Sic.
Not a few aver that
politics is all about perception. That there’s justifiably a strong element of
symbolism and show associated with an elected public office. 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, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers, Speakers 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
‘black cats’ and police protection become status differentiators which come at
the cost of 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.
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!
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.
Importantly, our netagan need to recognize that they cannot
throw their VIP tag around. 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.
Thus, in a milieu
where simplicity and austerity is Utopian to our polity, it is time our high
and mighty wake up to the danger lurking round the corner and smell the coffee.
If they don’t change they will become increasingly irrelevant. The bottom line:
Stop fawning, shed the colonial hangover, callousness and make no compromises
with our netagan. We do not need
gestures which total zilch. It remains to be seen whether our polity will
continue to live life Maharaja-size and reduce hum-toh-janata-ke-sevak-hain to mere tokenism? ---- INFA
(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)
|