EDITS | Friday, November 6, 2009 | Email | Print | 
Death in Chandigarh
The Pioneer Edit Desk
‘VVIP’ security as tamasha is to blame
The Prime Minister has no doubt expressed his “profound sense of sadness” at the death of Sumit Verma, a patient in need of emergency medical help who was not allowed to enter the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh because Mr Manmohan Singh was delivering a lecture inside on Tuesday, but it will not fetch the slightest comfort to the family of the victim of ‘VVIP’ security arrangements. Such vacuous expressions of regret have been heard earlier too whenever people have been inconvenienced or have had to suffer on account of security arrangements ostensibly meant to protect ‘VVIPs’ and ‘VIPs’ but in reality are no more than an elaborate effort to demonstrate the ‘importance’ of the person who is being protected. Not only are roads closed, traffic halted and life brought to a virtual standstill in the name of ‘VVIP’ and ‘VIP’ security, the policemen on duty are crude and rude with the people as if that, too, is part of the standard operating procedure. The tragic consequences of the ham-handed security arrangements for the Prime Minister during his visit to Chandigarh should serve to draw authority’s attention to the urgent need for reviewing the existing system of protecting ‘VVIPs’ and ‘VIPs’. To begin with, those who cannot step out of their homes and offices without disrupting the lives of people should desist from visiting public places. Frankly, the Prime Minister need not have accepted an invitation to give a lecture at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh — or any other hospital, for that matter — as he knew very well that his presence would cause more than just inconvenience to patients and their relatives. Hospitals and similar public places are not meant for politicians to participate in outreach programmes meant to promote themselves. Such events are best held at the Prime Minister’s residence where elaborate conference facilities exist or in one of the meeting halls of Parliament House complex. In the same manner, ‘VVIPs’ and ‘VIPs’ in States, too, should restrict their presence in events that create problems for the people unless they can ensure that security arrangements are non-intrusive and create no obstacles.
In fact, if at all the Prime Minister truly regrets the needless death caused by his visit to the the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh, he should immediately instruct the Ministry of Home Affairs to instruct the police and other relevant agencies to stop turning ‘VVIP’ and ‘VIP’ security arrangements into a public spectacle and hold those on duty responsible for any inconvenience that is caused. Given the threat perception, especially from terrorist organisations, every possible step must be taken to protect the lives of those who hold high office. But this needs to be done with a measure of sophistication; nowhere else in the world, barring in countries where dictators rule and thus need to make a show of their clout and power, is security cover for important individuals either intrusive or obstructionist. Indeed, when our ‘VVIPs’ and ‘VIPs’ travel abroad, they have to do without the pleasure of making the lives of others miserable. The death of a critically ill patient has stirred the conscience of the nation and the national outrage is a measure of popular anger. Hopefully, the conscience of our security-crazy politicians, too, will be roused from slumber.>
Email | Print | Rate:
|