The term “VIP” was first used in the 1930s. The earliest known use of the term was in 1933 by popular Scottish writer Compton Mackenzie. It gained popularity after World War II to refer to the special benefits and preferential treatment ascribed to people who are considered “Very Important Persons.” These individuals usually consist of politicians, high-ranking government officials, celebrities, business magnates, and other influential individuals.
Notably, the social and political structures around the world especially India are firmly rooted in this phenomenon, which is quite visible in many aspects of daily life and even more so during special events. The Indian judiciary and polity objected to the same on multiple occasions and voiced to be regarded similarly to the general public. However, none of this ever came to pass, barring a few exceptions and was limited to claims made solely as a means of gaining accloades.
A recent incident demonstrated yet again the futility of such statements and shed light on the stark disparity between the privileged and the commoners. Controversial singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh is currently on his Dil-Luminati India tour which is already embroiled in drama and allegations. Now, the presence of a unique “Judges Lounge” which was created just for judicial officers during the Chandigarh leg of his tour on 14th December, possibly a first for entertainment events there, is currently the subject of a major debate and backlash among the netizens.
Several sources in the civic and police administration have confirmed that more than 300 VIP passes were distributed among high court justices alone for the concert at the Sector 34 exhibition ground, reported Hindustan Times. Concerns regarding undue authority and uneven access at public events were raised by the fact that a court officer was also assigned to personally supervise their entry.
Over 35,000 people attended the gathering which included a distinct “Judges Lounge” in the Fan Pit Zone, according to a top official. Members of the judiciary, along with their friends and family, received almost 300 tickets that allowed them to see the musician up close. Administrative officers reportedly had their own “Admin Lounge.” According to the report, a judicial official from the Chandigarh courts was specifically assigned close to the lounge to assist judges and their families in finding the “right place.”
A top source unveiled, “Most were relatives. But some judges, former and serving, were also there.” Sources disclosed that police officers were tasked with accompanying judges and handing them tickets. VVIPs, comprising of judges, were granted direct entrance to the site, evading the barricades erected for regular concertgoers, even though the general public was subject to stringent regulations and had to endure severe traffic congestion and extended wait periods.
Importantly, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard a public interest litigation (PIL) on 13th December. The case was filed by Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Sector-23, and it raised concerns about the disruptive impact of such large events, especially after singer Karan Aujla’s concert at the same venue on 7th December triggered chaos. Diljit Dosanjh’s concert was approved by the high court, but the organizers were bound by noise level restrictions.
The court had ordered that, in accordance with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules) 2000, criminal action would be taken if the noise level exceeded 75 decibels while permitting the concert. The administration has until 18th December to file a compliance report on this to the high court.
Outrage on social media
The development was soon picked by many on social media as thousands of fans discussed the exasperating experience of purchasing tickets for the events online. Many waited for hours, hooked to their phones and laptops, hoping to gain admittance and their struggle didn’t end there either. The fortunate few who were granted tickets shared a number of unsettling experiences, including long queues, black-marketing and difficulties entering the arena.
Therefore, the netizens were displeased with the easy access given to the influential justices and they brought up important issues regarding the judiciary’s culture of privilege and entitlement. An ex-IAS officer mocked that justice might be blind (an expression that means justice should be impartial, objective, and unbiased) but the judges are not deaf.
Justice may be blind, but it is definitely not deaf – in fact, it has an ear for the music 🎶.
— KBS Sidhu, ex-IAS 🇮🇳 (@kbssidhu1961) December 17, 2024
Interestingly, in October 2024, the Supreme Court of India announced a new template for Lady Justice statue that will no longer depict her blindfolded. The new statue is meant to convey that the law is not blind, but instead sees everyone equally.
A user referred to Indian society as “incredibly dystopian and feudal at the core,” alluding to the exceptional treatment received by the powerful (judges in this case).
We are such an incredibly dystopian society. Still feudal at the core. https://t.co/XK3hlYm08J
— Abhejit (@Abhej1t) December 17, 2024
A person sought “introspection and some answers” in light of the inequality and abuse of privileges enjoyed by certain influential segments of society.
And in the end, this is what’s it’s all about!! The report, if factually correct which it seems it is, needs introspection and some answers. https://t.co/bUBt4pJiji
— AMAN SOOD (@AMANSOODD) December 17, 2024
Another individual remrked that the VIP culture will continue as long as these “privileges” and “perquisites” of the positions are in place and asked, “Why should the judges have accepted this at all?”
Till the time these 'privileges' and 'perquisites' of the job don't end, VIP culture will not end. Why should the Judges have accepted this at all? https://t.co/8AJdqyiR8N
— Amit K Paul (@theamitkpaul) December 17, 2024
A netizen termed the exclusive privilege as yet another “form of corruption” and added, “No wonder complaints remained complaints and nothing more,” with laughing emoticons describing the sorry state of affairs.
Another form of corruption.
— Aviral Sanghera (@aviralsan) December 17, 2024
No wonder complaints remained complaints and nothing more. 😂😂 https://t.co/ABPyYuVCx3
VIP culture: Blight on Indian democracy
The term “VIP” is overly familiar in India, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of signs promoting VIP parking, VIP tickets, VIP enclosures, VIP gates, VIP seats, VIP admissions, VIP pavilions, VIP entrances, and also VIP quotas in airports, temples, hospitals, and even prisons. As if the ordinary citizens weren’t already enduring the insufferable VIP system, another V was included and “VVIP” (Very Very Important Persons) was introduced to further add to the air of privilege and superiority as well as to highlight the lack of similarities, rather glaring differences this class of people share with the public.
Honestly, they might as well add a few more Vs and snuff out people’s will to even leave their houses if they so desire, as they are the ones with authority and power. However, since even they need their employees to attend to their whimsical needs and the nation also needs to function properly to survive, it might not come to that, at least not just now. Naturally, India is not the only nation that grants preferential treatment to its “VIPs.” It is a global practice. However, “VIPs” are nowhere as disruptive and prevalent in the world as they are in India.
Of course, there are “VIPs” whose protocol demand special treatment and the public is aware that even little deviations could result in serious situations. However, these categories appear to have proliferated in all spheres of life. Those who succeed in gaining even a small amount of authority ask for privileges and exclusive rights. “Laal-batti (red beacon) culture” had become synonymous with many areas both rural and urban of our country where any person with an iota of power used the beacon to violate all the traffic rules and create a special passage for himself, his family and friends while the ordinary people were rendered to put up with long traffic jams for hours without any reprieve.
Initially, only a few constitutional authorities were able to restrict traffic on the roads. Nowadays, when the public is having a hard time navigating the evening rush hour or managing another emergency, a wide range of individuals can intimidate the local police officers into closing the roads for them. The same is true for airport security as well as a variety of other circumstances, places and scenarios.
Noatbly, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017 declared that everyone, including the President, Prime Minister, and Chief Justice of India, would no longer be allowed to use red beacons. “There will be no exceptions,” stated then finance minister late Arun Jaitley and added that only emergency vehicles, such as police vans, fire engines, and ambulances, would be permitted to use beacons.
“Blue lights, used often for the car preceding VIPs, will be allowed only for emergency vehicles,” he mentioned after the centre’s prominent measure to country “VIP culture.” The beacons won’t be there, but restrictions will remain in place while the nation’s most secure leaders particularly the president or prime minister are out of the office. “Every Indian is special, every Indian is a VIP,” PM Modi wrote on social media after the announcement.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath firmly ordered that VIP culture is unacceptable while chairing a special meeting with the Council of Ministers in June of this year. He emphasized that everyone must stay away from VIP culture, regardless of whether they are ministers or other public officials. He asserted that none of their actions should be a reflection of VIP culture and asked everyone to exercise caution and vigilance in this regard. The statement read, “The government is for the people and public interest is paramount for us. The problems, expectations, and needs of the person standing at the last rung of the society, must be resolved.”
Many Bharatiya Janata Party stalwarts including the late defence minister Manohar Parrikar, were renowned for leading ordinary lives and were frequently seen going about their daily lives and standing in lines like the general public. However, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this is an anomaly rather than the norm.
According to a survey performed last month by Local Circles to find out what people think about VIP culture, 83% of people who have visited government offices reported that they are engulfed by it, 25% informed that they have encountered it at hospitals in the past year and more than 70% mentioned that one of the main effects of VIP culture is the abuse of VIP authority in places of worship and property-related offences.
Unfortunately, even if PM Modi and few others have not been tempted by the VIP culture, there is still a significant disconnect between boastful rhetoric and practical conduct because many in positions of authority including the opposition are determined to uphold and even enhance the status quo. The recent incident of “Judges Lounge” is another testament to it and speaks volumes about how far we are from ending the “VIP culture” in India which is shielded and maintained by its benefactors, which also consists of the judiciary, a powerful pillar of democracy in which such a hierarchy in the civil society should not exist.
To put it in simpler terms, India’s democracy and its society are plagued by the “VIP culture” and some urgent steps along with a collective effort are required to tackle the problem without bringing politics into it.
