Multiple Policemen flashing Sub-Machine guns or Black cat commandos toting AK-47's and a long cavalcade of red-beaconed cars and jeeps; all these have become more of a status insignia than a measure of security. This was clearly evident from the hysteria which was created after the review committee decided to downgrade the security cover of few politicians. Prominent among them were Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, Murli Manohar Joshi and Lalu Prasad Yadav. But the humorous part of this entire fracas were the comments issued by some of these leaders after the Home Ministry announced this decision;

"You are insulting those leaders who are fighting for social justice. You are putting our lives in danger by proclaiming that you are reducing our security"
-SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav
(You are absolutely right Sir. If banning English and Computers is your way of fighting social justice, then you are surely in a grave danger from the numerous people who are qualified, those who wish to get a better education and those who vouch for a prosperous and developed India)


"If anythings happens to me, then Home Minister will be held responsible"
-RJD Cheif Lalu Prasad Yadav
(The entire India is counting that something happens and Lalu Prasad develops a strong yearning for developing Bihar rather than simply demanding for more trains from Patna to Mumbai!)

Jokes apart, just glance at some of these figures which will have you flabbergasted. Our government annually spends Rs 175 lakhs per politician in providing them with a Z+ Security, add to that Rs 1 Crore for a yearly NSG cover, 8-15 Lakhs for bullet proofing of a single vehicle (a full convoy may consist of 6-8 Bullet proof Cars), installation of high-end security devices at the offices and houses of these politicians, not to mention the fuel and ammunition cost and you have a bill thats runs into hundreds of crores. Also, the above estimate is just for the Z+ security, add to it 3 different types of security covers (Z, Y and X) which are currently being provided to approximately 6000 VIP's all over India and you will have a number that is way difficult for my pea-sized brain to calculate!

One solution to this problem can be, to make use of services of private security instead of NSG or para-military forces like CRPF, CISF or ITBP. Other solution may be to formulate a completely new force altogether whose only task will be to gaurd our "revered leaders". And by looking at the way in which SP and BSP leaders protested the downgradation of security, I thought the one person who needed security cover (may be a Z++) the most was our poor old LS Speaker! God save his a**!