Bhopal: Not just the metros, but NDTV’s ‘No VIP’ campaign is creating a buzz even in smaller cities like Bhopal which seem to have had enough of the social menace. Recently, the city’s RED FM took up the issue and discussed how it has become a nuisance for the ordinary citizens.
In the one-hour show, people from all walks of life shared their experiences. NDTV India’s Senior Executive Editor Ravish Kumar also shared his views on the subject and spoke of the campaign launch.
In a conversation with NDTV, the show’s host RJ Anadi explained how they decided on the show’s topic.
“About our show called ‘Papagiri’ – we noticed that there is VIP culture around us and even on NDTV we saw the campaign. My producer Abhimanyu met a parking attendant who asked him to pay the charges – but a man just went by, did not pay up and just said ‘you know who my father is.’ So we ideated further and came up with the show,” she said.
The VIP culture in Bhopal is not restricted to Red or Blue beacons, people drop names or claim to be VIPs so that they are exempted from even paying parking charges, say the locals.
Dayashankar Yadav, a parking attendant of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation who deals with such people on a regular basis, said,” People claiming to be from the police or the press do not pay us. Most of the time we know they are not from the police or the press and when we ask for proof they threaten us, saying they will call up people.”
Ajay Singh Chandravanshi, Head constable, Traffic Police explained that it’s not only the common man but also the police who have to tolerate this VIP culture at times and it often gets in the way of carrying out their duties.
“Our officials challan the offenders, we do get phone calls but we don’t oblige, we refuse them politely. This VIP culture must go. As it is wrong, the law is equal for all – be it politician, police or the media.”
Chunni Lal, a resident of Bhopal, is among many who support the NDTV’s No VIP campaign and believe that nobody should be above the law.
“This rampant VIP culture is a big problem in Bhopal. I appreciate NDTV’s efforts to come up with a campaign against it. The VIP use beacons and sirens unnecessarily. They misuse the powers they get. Equality is important, as we elect politicians so we are as important as them,” he said.