AGARTALA, Nov 1 (TIWN): The red beacons were removed from VIP vehicles including the Prime Minister’s vehicle in India back in 2017 but could it vacuum off the VIP culture and misuse of the VIP culture? And who are categorized as VIP, who can occupy the road, and for what purpose ? All such questions became valid now after Udaipur subdisvision’s young man Pijush Debnath died after being hit by a VIP convoy in the Gokulpur area, near Udaipur college. Who was the VIP, the name is yet to be declared officially whereas massive resentment exploded on social media since Pijush’s undeserved death was flashed on media.

In developed countries like the U.S., even a governor has to follow traffic laws like a common citizen, but in India, even political leaders without any heavy constitutional designations started enjoying VIP convoys nowadays, as if their rush is more emergency than the ambulances! There have been many debates about the speed limits of VIP vehicles and how they interfere with public movement, but still, there is no proper guideline issued by the government to decode the VIP convoy’s movements.

According to a report published by Legal Service of India blocking road by VIP convoy is a violation of the constitutional rights.

It says, “Article 21 secures two rights: Right to life, and Right to personal liberty.The right to life in Article 21 of Indian constitution does not mean animal existence or the mere act of breathing. It guarantees the right to live with human dignity. The act of the administration to block the roads for passage is thus violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.”

The report also says, “It cannot be denied that blocking roads during VIP movements is blatant violation of constitutional rights and it is imperative for the administration to take corrective steps to put an end to this menace. Inspite of judgements of the High Courts & the Apex Court, the VIP movement menace is continuing will full force without following the binding directions of the Court. It is high time people should assert their rights against the poor treatment they get when stuck in traffic due to VIP movement. The Government should issue guidelines for the safety and security of vulnerable people during VIP movements but at the same time protect the constitutional rights of the common man.”