JOIN USThe feudal culture which privileges power and position above the rights of ordinary people refuses to go away from the country in spite of changes in social mores and economic order and the working of the democratic system for many decades. Two recent incidents in which the country’s national carrier Air India (AI) inconvenienced its passengers and ill-treated some others demonstrated yet again that this culture still holds sway. Ministers, political leaders and senior officials are more equal than others and have the first right to the goods and services owned or dispensed by the state. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held up a New York-bound AI flight from Mumbai for about an hour because his principal secretary, Pravin Pardeshi, who was travelling with him, forgot to carry the right passport with him. The flight was kept waiting till the passport was brought to the airport. A few days later, a Delhi-Leh flight was delayed and three passengers, including a child, were offloaded to accommodate Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and his assistant, and Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh. The AI did not have any compunction in delaying the two flights and in ordering a family to get down for the sake of the VVIPs.
Fadnavis has denied that he caused any delay and an uncon-vincing explanation has been made about the delay in Leh. The humiliation of the family which was forced to make way for the VVIPs remains. There are circumstances and evidence which show that the AI officials acted wrongly to please the persons in power. This has happened many a time in the past also with the national carrier, trains and other public facilities. This is because of the reigning VVIP culture which makes those in power think that their convenience and needs are greater than those of others and officials readily oblige them. Public property is treated as personal property and preferential treatment is demanded in every way. What AI did was wrong morally, commercially and in other ways. Who will trust an airline which treats its passengers so shabbily?
The PMO has sought a report on the incidents and the civil aviation minister has made an apology, but that may not help. Can AI take strong punitive action against the errant officials in both cases, so that when a similar situation arises in future, officials concerned will have to choose between their jobs and pleasing a VVIP? VVIPs may also well be reminded that they are not above the rules, courtesies and norms which are there for the ordinary citizens.