Robert Vadra VIP status: Cong says security should not be politicised

Civil Aviation Minister Gajapathi Raju had on assuming charge indicated that 'security should be meaningful, not ornamental'

With reports of the BJP led government at the Centre deliberating on withdrawing Robert Vadra, Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law's VIP status, the Congress has pointed out that “security of an individual or of a country should not be politicised.” Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju had on assuming charge indicated that “Security should be meaningful, not ornamental.”

Vadra, is the only civilian who enjoys immunity from security checks at airports.

Congress spokesperson Shashi Tharoor today attempted to clarify that the decision to grant special security status in the first place had been a “professional technical decision taken by agencies like the SPG.” “Congress had not taken any decision in Vadra’s regard then and nor will it take it now. Such an issue should not be politicised and the professional agencies should take a call on it,” said Tharoor.

Tharoor added, “Whether its be the security of an individual or of a nation, it should not be politicised.”

The BJP has been at the forefront of attacking Robert Vadra over his shady land deals with the party even releasing a CD lampooning him as “Damad ji.” Narendra Modi during his election campaign had often hit out at “damad ji” but subsequently stated that there will be no witch-hunt against Vadra and the law will be allowed to take its own course.