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Clat Possible > Blog > Uncategorized > Ending the bane of VVIP Racism

Ending the bane of VVIP Racism

February 3, 2016
Posted by: Team Clat Possible
Category: Uncategorized

While there was much to report and write about this week, one rather interesting term that caught attention was “VVIP Racism”. The term is interesting for it combines two topics that are politically very sensitive- that of “Very Very Important Persons” (VVIPs) and “racism”, that is, discrimination based on one’s race. The former needs no introduction for everyone is well aware that whenever a VVIP tag is accorded to a person, they get all the benefits and perks associated with the title, whether it is an early entry or special entry into a venue, special enclosures in which to sit and anything else “special” that one can think of. “Racism”, on the other hand, has been the talking point many times, but most often in the context of racist slurs and abuses hurled at us in foreign countries, for instance, on account of our skin colour and so on. But never before has the term “racism” come in the spotlight for discrimination of Indians in India.

That is where “VVIP Racism” stirs up so many emotions. The news was flooded with instances where VVIPs were exercising their might over commoners, even officers and indulging in pomp and show in the garb of social service. There was a case of a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) allegedly harassing a couple on a train. Things took a turn from bad to worse when the MLA initially denied having ever travelled on the train and when CCTV footage of him boarding the train was splashed across the media, he denied the charges. In another sad incident, the labour minister of a state claimed that he got a senior police officer transferred because she had put his call on hold.

This does make one question the very embodiment of the right to equality that has been guaranteed to all Indians as per the Constitution. There are some exceptions to this “equal” status and only equals are treated equally. This is understandable because there is a definite need to have special allowances and arrangements say for celebrities who are at the risk of being mobbed or for a team of players who need to get to the tournament venue on time. But when anyone and everyone who happens to know someone in a powerful position becomes a VVIP, there is no reasonable classification and what we witness is a mockery of rights. For long, common people have had to bear the brunt of this “special treatment” and unjustified discrimination. It is these situations that push them to extend that currency note under the table to get work done faster, at the “VVIP” pace. It is these situations that divide us and reduce some to “first class” and others to “second class” citizens.

Never had we envisaged an India where some of us would be less Indian than the rest of us and it is time we understand and respect the ideals that our country stands for. All of us need to look inwards for once, rather than pointing fingers outside, and do our bit to end this “racism” which seems to be plaguing us as a menace made “for the people, of the people and by the people”.