TREATING THE VIP SYNDROME

The acronym VIPS has been coined to denote the Very Important Person Syndrome that has been afflicting the Indian democracy in a big way. The syndrome is an acquired attribute that can affect at any age. The decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban the use of beacon lights on the cars of those representing the VIP culture will certainly deal a powerful blow to those otherwise ordinary mortals masquerading as monarchs. So, full marks to Modi!

Usually politicians don’t act. They distract. But here is somebody who acts with an élan that is rare these days. The decision to ban beacon lights from May 1 is a long awaited course correction. Rather, coarse correction for the country that is supposed to be world’s largest democracy yet full of those very important persons (VIPs) who think they belong to some other world. And what a day to implement the decision: May Day, the day of the workers. And the ban applies to all, PM included. That it took some seven decades and a man of Modi’s courage to undo a practice that seemed like an aberration to a democracy. After all what does a democracy stand for?

An oft quoted one is given by US President Abraham Lincoln. He said that democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. But what has been our experience. Off the people, bye the people, far the people. Or can we say of the people, by the people for the Very Important People (VIP). In a democracy, as PM Modi tweeted, every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP. But the people riding in those cars flashing beacon lights often tried to suggest that the common masses were, to quote Shakespeare, “dishonourable graves”. Certainly this government has acted where previous ones dithered and due credit goes to Modi.

It is a massive blow to India’s notoriously famous VIP culture. The beacon lights flashing atop the VIP cars signified arrogance and looked down upon the common man. This decision will certainly give a boost to the democratic spirit that was reeling under the load of a pampered VIP culture. Lest we forget, it makes sense to quote famous English poet TS Eliot who believed that half of the harm that is done in the world is due to people who want to feel important. Needless to say that the beacon lights were creating that very feeling, the feeling of being important. Of course, there is still a long way to go, with the huge security paraphernalia and the body guard culture still persisting. Given the ways of PM Modi, maybe, we will see more improvements towards democratisation of the Indian democracy.

But undoubtedly, it was a historic decision. Indian democracy, then, is on the move. The Supreme Court had rightly observed that beacon lights were reflective of the mentality of those who served the British Government and treated the natives as slaves. It certainly is a corrective action on the part of the government to declassify the so called VIP that made merry on public exchequer. The spirit of democracy can best be understood in the words of noted author Harper Lee who conveyed through one of the important characters of her book To Kill a Mocking Bird that it is equal rights to all, special privileges to none. Beacon lights intended to create a privileged class.