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India’s privileged VIP culture

Kashmir Times. Dated: 4/25/2017 10:54:55 PM

Dear Editor,
Kudos to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his decision to shake up India’s privileged VIP culture, most notably symbolised by flashing red beacon lights on top of vehicles, by scrapping a rule that allowed the Central and State governments to nominate dignitaries who could use such lights. The decision comes more than three years after the Supreme Court first raised the issue of red beacons and asked for restrictions on their use in December 2013. It is good move by govt to stop lal baati for VIPs. It will help to reduce the VIPs culture in India.
The red beacon or laal batti, allowed to only top public officials and politicians, has come to signify influence and privilege. Recently, in Ahmedabad, while I was crossing a road, I found blue beacons of Ambulance blocking the road. As I came near I found some religious saints sitting in an ambulance with their teams. The motor vehicles carrying ‘high dignitaries’ specified by the Central government and their counterparts specified by the States may be fitted with red lights, but the red lights with or without flasher can be used only when the specified high dignitary is on duty.It is time that the Supreme court also passes the order to remove political flags, political leaders photos in the cars fronts. This is used as an exhibition of power by many politicians and influential people.
—Vinod C. Dixit,
B-15 Jyoti-kalash Society Ahmedabad.