Bangalore’s traffic jam is already infamous, but when it gets mixed with a road being closed for a VIP convoy, then the problems of the common people double.
A troubled citizen trapped in this Silicon Valley of India adopted the Gandhian method to protest against this VIP culture.
The man, who was traveling with his pregnant wife, ran out of patience when traffic on Old Airport Road was stopped for a long time to allow the convoy of Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot to pass through.
In anger and helplessness, the man got down from his car and sat straight in the middle of the road. Refusing to move off the road, this unknown man argued that a common citizen’s time is as valuable as a politician’s time.
Heated argument between traffic inspector and man
In the video that went viral on social media, a heated argument can be clearly seen between the traffic policeman and the angry citizen. When the man told the policeman that his wife was pregnant and he also had to go for some important work, the traffic policeman interrupted him and instructed him to stand aside from the road.
On this, the man retorted and asked that despite his wife being pregnant, why was the signal kept closed just because the Governor’s VIP convoy was going to pass through there, and whether the general public had no importance. The policeman tried to calm him down and said that he himself was a VIP, so now he should get off the road.
After this, when the policeman strictly asked him repeatedly whether he was getting up from the road or not, the man firmly refused to move away, replying ‘no’ every time.
Outrage among people against VIP culture
In the video that went viral on social media, a heated argument broke out between the traffic policeman and the man. Although the Governor’s convoy eventually passed by the side of the busy road, it is not entirely clear how and when the man left the place.
This incident has once again brought to the fore the burning anger among the general public against the VIP culture in the country. Interestingly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also taken a strong stand on this issue last month itself.
The Prime Minister had urged all ministers and officials to maintain simplicity and economy during official protocols. He had talked about emphasizing on simplicity and efficiency instead of such show of power.
To reduce wastage in governance and inconvenience to the public, the Prime Minister had ordered a 50% reduction in the size of his own convoy. Along with this, instructions were also given to include electric vehicles in the convoy to prevent unnecessary expenses and pollution.