India’s VIP culture has deep roots

An arms licence is given for self-protection, not to threaten people over a minor altercation.

The case of Ashish Pandey, the son of former BSP parliamentarian Rakesh Pandey, who brandished a pistol and threatened a couple in the early hours of Sunday at a luxury hotel in Delhi, is yet another example of arrogance on the part of a VIP son or kin. What led to the argument is a matter of police investigation, although media reports indicate that he may not have started the verbal duel. But the manner in which he hurled expletives and threatened the couple by wielding a weapon clearly showed that he had little regard for the law. An arms licence is given for self-protection, not to threaten people over a minor altercation.

Although the law ultimately caught up with Pistol Pandey, as he has been nicknamed, forcing him to surrender in court, he will not be the last of the VIP sons who will behave in a similar fashion. Progenies of VIPs take their cue from their fathers, who thrive in the nexus between criminals and politicians.

According to reports, Pandey Sr has criminal cases against him so it is no surprise that the son can think of taking the law into his own hands. So long as criminals masquerade as politicians and vice versa, there will be more Pistol Pandeys. Today, the level of criminalisation of politics is such that out of a total strength of 4,896 members of Parliament and state Assemblies, 1,765 face criminal charges. In other words, 36 per cent of all MPs and MLAs have criminal cases. While India proudly proclaims to be the largest democracy in the world, these numbers strain democracy’s dictum of being ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’.

Another reason why such brats will continue to sprout is the VIP culture in the country. This culture has deep roots in our society, with those wielding power enjoying all the privileges. For those who belong to the elite club it means no standing in queues, preferential treatment in availing government services and even disregard of the law. Equality is a slogan meant only for seminar rooms, drawing room discourses and the confines of an idealistic world.

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The New Indian Express
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