VIP culture

The order by the Assam government to reduce the number of vehicles in the chief minister’s convoy to bare minimum should come as a relief to ordiry citizens. For far too long, the wailing siren of the VVIP cavalcade struck dismay into commuters’ hearts. Ambulances got stuck in traffic srls that followed, critically ill patients suffered needlessly, even expectant mothers underwent childbirth right on the road. The excesses of VVIP power display was symptomatic of the privileges grabbed by the political class. When there is barely a single policeman to protect 700 ordiry citizens in this country, it is galling indeed that legislators are surrounded by an average of 3 securitymen at the taxpayer’s expense, all whizzing by with flashing red lights. The Sarbanda Sonowal cabinet’s decision is therefore expected to strike the right chord with the State populace, desperately hoping for change. It is also in line with the Supreme Court’s rulings to end VIP culture, that flashing red lights and blowing sirens intimidate the public whereby ‘the threat perception becomes a symbol of power’. Only administrative and attitudil changes will put an end to this pernicious culture — which has played havoc with the democratic concept that equality before law should govern public servants as well.

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