Why is the life of a common man so insecure? Because, a huge chunk of our security forces are deployed to protect the lives of the so-called VIPs! In fact, VIP security in India might be costing the national exchequer nearly 50 percent of the expenses on our security forces.
The security situation in India cannot improve so long as the people who take decisions on internal security issues enjoy personal security ranging from PSO (Personal Security Officer) provided by the local police to Z+ (zee plus) security provided by Special Protection Group (SPG) commandos.
The common man faces crimes in the city. He faces terrorist attacks. The VIPs call a high level meeting, shed crocodile tears and it is all over. Things are back to square one.
Nothing has improve.
The common man is exposed to all kinds of dangers and insecurities in the street whereas these VIPs move inside a mobile fort fortified by their security personnel. How would they realize the vulnerability of the common man to security threats? They think nothing of the security of the common man because they feel secure in their security ring.
Why this disparity? Is the life of one man more important than the life of the other? Don’t we need some kind of equality in this country? It is time we withdrew the security of our VIPs and expose them to the dangers faced by the common man so they get a feel of how the common man feels about our security apparatus!
How else can be drive home our point that the security arrangements in this country need a total overhaul? That piecemeal reforms will not do?
Unless we withdraw the VIP security which is used for a variety of purposes…for personal protection; as a status symbol; to insulate oneself from unwanted company; to bully the other party when faced with an argument etc. I do not have VIP security so I might have missed out on a lot of other things.
To understand the real security situation in India, it is imperative that our VIPs understand the security concerns of the common man. In the olden days, even the kings used to move around their kingdom in disguise to gauge these things. Today, our VIPs are reluctant to move out of the luxury of their air conditioned bungalows.
Let our VIPs experience and understand the common man’s security concerns. Till such time as they do that, withdraw their security. They have no right to security so long as the common man feels insecure. They will never understand this so long as they have their security.
So, the VIPs should first ensure the security of the common man. They should draw up a plausible national security plan and implement it. Only then should they ask for their own security. First deserve, then desire!
