Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Chandigarh, If the interests of the Indian ruling classes converge on a single issue, it is that of security, or rather the perceived sense of insecurity. The more the number of men in black or grey flaunting their modern killer gadgets surround a leader on the move, the higher he or she is considered in the echelon of power. Perhaps this is the biggest burden the Indian tax payer has to bear to instil sense of security among the members of this class whose concerns are far removed from the very people who pay from their pockets to protect them. This security paraphernalia rather facilitates the insulation of these classes from the masses.
The latest hue and cry that has been raised following the withdrawal of security cover to former three time Bharatiya Janata Party MP-cum-former cricketer-cum entertainer falls in this category with his party leaders too taking strong exception to this decision of the state Home department headed by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. The problem in Punjab, so might be the case in several other states, is that the security cover has been reduced to political favour. The Akali Dal office bearers even at the lowest level have been provided security guards. The VIP brats can be seen moving around in the posh Chandigarh markets surrounded by AK-47 wielding security men. Several times they enter into brawls. This misuse continues unabated.
The day Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister J Jayalalitha was to be convicted by the court in a corruption case, the TV screens repeatedly focussed on her caravan having large number of security men, some of them standing on the footboards of the vehicles. They were men in grey. In Punjab, Chief Minister or the Deputy Chief Minister normally take to flying but whenever they move on the roads, they are surrounded by large number of security vehicles including ambulance and a fire brigade vehicle.
A few months back, the main issue worrying the Congressmen the most in Punjab was the reduction in the number of their security men. On the one hand, Badal claims Punjab to be among the most peaceful states and on the other, the security expenditure on these so called VIPs and the VVIPs is perhaps the highest. In case it is such a peaceful state, why should these people have such security covers? The Congressmen threatened to protest. They are not touched by the pressing problems facing the people. No political leader has ever visited the family of a farmer having committed suicide. The incidence of suicides by the farmers in this agriculturally the most advanced state is on the rise. However, such issues are the concerns neither of the rulers nor those in opposition.
This security cover happens to be the legacy of the days of militancy when even the Communist leaders moved around under police escorts. It was much later when Dr Joginder Dayal headed the Punjab CPI that the party adopted a resolution on this issue, calling upon the leaders, barring some exceptions like Comrade Satya Pal Dang, to return this favour to the government.
And this menace is not confined to the political classes. The largesse of the Punjab government is known to have extended even to businessmen in Delhi. Ponty Chadha, the real estate developer who was shot by his own brother in a Delhi farm house, had the security cover from the Punjab police. Many Shiromani Akali Dal leaders in the national capital move around surrounded by policemen from Punjab. This is the extent to which the security is being misused.
Not to land behind are some members of the fourth estate, both in Chandigarh as well as in Jalandhar. After all, they too must have a share in the spoils of power.
While even small time Akali leaders flaunt their security, the security cover of several senior retired police officials who have been in the forefront during the fight against militancy has either been withdrawn or drastically reduced. It is true that many of them too had been misusing these security men for personal errands. But then there has to be proper procedure for allotment, reduction or withdrawal of security cover and it should not be treated as a political favour, depending upon the whims and fancy of the rulers. In a state like Punjab, let there be an independent three or five member high powered committee to assess the threat perception to different individuals based upon the inpits provided by various intelligence agencies and take the decision accordingly, rather than resorting to arbitrariness triggering allegations of political vendetta and discrimination.
By Jagtar Singh
