Very Important Person Vs Very Ordinary Person

VIP security has to be abolished for security of Common Men

Need of the security to VIPs is not because of danger to their life but as a symbol of status

By HARISH K. MONGA

 There had been continued criticism of the government, over the issue of security to Very Important Persons (VIPs).  After the heinous and brutal crime of a Delhi gang-rape, this subject is again getting a momentum and it is general opinion of the people that in good number of police personnel are on VIP duty resulting shortage of staff for the security of common men.

Now the Supreme Court has asked to depute police officials for the security of women by withdrawing the same from VIP duty.  Even the Supreme Court has asked the state governments as to how may officials have been deputed on VIP duty and how much expenditure is being incurred on this account?

Taking the case of Delhi itself where gang-rape incident occurred, during the last year Rs.341 crores were spent on VIP security on 8049 police officials deputed on VIP duty whereas to stop the occurrence of crime and its investigation, only 3448 officials are available.  There are about 64000 police officials are available to maintain law and order which includes traffic control and other duties.  It is normally said to investigate the VIP security and withdraw the unnecessary officials deputed on this duty but it does not happen in practical rather it is increasing day by day.  The need of the security to leaders, officers and other people is not because of danger to their life but as a symbol of status. The impact of status from political point of view depends upon the deployment of police security or national security guards (NSG).  P.Chidambaran, when he was Home Minister, the number of NSGs was 14 and now it is 17 which is likely to cross 20. It is not understood as to why certain persons have been provided with high security when they are not in need of the same.  In such circumstances, if the Supreme Court is putting a check over the VIP security and withdraw the security for the common men, would be a welcome step.

There was a time when the senior leaders were not keeping any security. Only after the terrorism in 1970s, when certain persons were targeted, the VIP security was being demanded and later on become a status symbol.  It became a show of strength and status like the red-light fitted vehicles.  The terrorism in Punjab was vanished a long back but the security attachment since that period is still continuing putting extra burden on the government exchequer. 

The need of the hour is to have a Security Expert Committee, which may review the requirement of security to a particular person and take decision of providing the security, irrespective of any political pressure.  Till such time the concept of VIP security is not vanished, neither the police force nor the administration or other departments, will understand that their main aim is to provide the security of the common men.  In case, the security of the common men is to be strengthen then VIP security has to be abolished.