OPINION: Putting beacon lights has become a status symbol

It is pleasure to sit in the red beacon atop vehicles; it is also a matter of great concern over its gross misuse.  Those who are egoistic, in fact need some beacon of knowledge, not the red beacon light. The moment the elections are over and state governments are formed, race for red beacon will start.

The law which governs the beacon and its colours is stated, in clause III of rule 108, Central Motor Vehicles rules of 1989, the list of people entitled to the colours is detailed by the central government and the state government. Even no one can sell beacon lights without government permission else action can be taken against him.

If simple living and high thinking were the credo of most politicians before Independence and in the first two decades after 1947, ostentatious living and vulgar display of authority and wealth is their fashion in the 21st century. Barring a few exceptions, our politicians believe that they cannot command the respect of the people unless they flaunt their political power and wealth.

Our politicians, instead of being totally focused on discussing the issues of unemployment, terrorism, inflation and other topics of national importance, their  professional conduct in parliament was more driven by their demand to have a red beacon light on top of their vehicles.

But we all know most of these people do not require an emergency light, which is primarily fitted to declare, “Look at me, I am important, I have status and don’t you forget it.”Public servants are  actually servants of the public.  The roving cars with their flashing lights are against all this country was meant to be  a democratic republic where public servants, such as MLAs, MPs and bureaucrats, are meant to serve, not rule us as the British once did.

The hierarchy ingrained in Indian society and officialdom is reflected in these lights, and officials and politicians are unlikely to surrender this privilege.

The most surprising is that the State governments randomly add to the list of official flashers to oblige the bureaucrats like Director of Health Services,  Director PGI, AIIMS, Chairmen of various Boards, Excise and Taxation Officers, Adviser to the Administrators, District Judges, Police Officials, CEO of insurance companies and even college principals.

The idea behind getting the cars with lal batti ( red beacon ) by MPs and MLAs is that they will be respected in their constituency. The MP, as a lawmaker, should start a debate for not allowing the smaller officers to have the red light. 

While it is pleasure to sit in the red beacon atop vehicles, at the same time, it is a matter of great concern over its gross misuse.  There is a need to start a campaign to get rid of this unhealthy practice. Unless and until police stops sparing the illegally using red beacon whosoever he might be, its misuse will continue to enjoy by the influential and egoistic people. It is making a mockery of the system. 

The red beacon flashers should only be used by the limited VIPs otherwise its sanctity is lost if it is used by every VOPs (Very Ordinary Persons). 

It is felt that in addition to ambulance and school bus, only one head of the department should be allowed to use red beacon.  Those who are egoistic, in fact need some beacon of knowledge, not the red beacon light. 

(Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of City Air News.)