Vip Culture

SC refuses to entertain PIL against special treatment for VIPs in temples

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a PIL against the practice of charging an additional fee for "VIP darshan" and according of preferential, selective and special treatment to a certain class of people in temples. A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said it was for the society and temple management to decide the issue and the court cannot pass any direction. "While we may be of the opinion that no special treatment should be given but this court cannot issue directions. We do not think it is a fit case to exercise jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution. However, we clarify that dismissal of the petition will not bar the appropriate authorities from taking appropriate action as required," the bench said. Advocate Akash Vashishtha, representing the petitioner, argued there is some Standard Operating Procedure required as there are 12 Jyotirlingas and this completely arbitrary practice of "VIP darshan". The top court was ...

Culture of VIP darshan in temples must be stopped: Vice President Dhankar

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Tuesday that we should do away with the VIP culture, particularly in temples, as the very idea of VIP darshan militates against divinity. He also called upon the people to rise above the politics of disruption and help the country reach its objective of a developed India by 2047. "When precedence is accorded and priority is given to someone -- when we label it as VVIP or VIP -- this is belittling the concept of equality. VIP culture is an aberration. It is an incursion. When viewed on the anvil of equality, it should have no place in society, much less in religious places," said Dhankhar. The Vice President was launching the country's largest 'queue complex' at Sri Manjunatha Temple here. The facility is known as 'Shri Saanidhya'. While delivering his keynote address, Dhankhar criticised the tendency prevailing in today's political milieu, where people, instead of engaging in dialogue, disrupt democratic values. According to him, the politic

Exclusive 'Judges Lounge' at Diljit Dosanjh's Chandigarh concert sparks row

Over 300 VIP passes were reportedly issued to Punjab and Haryana High Court judges, along with their family members, raising concerns over preferential treatment

Letter to BS: CEA's ill-conceived suggestion deserves outright rejection

CEA's suggestions reek of class bias, would lead to an enhanced level of public anger

VIP culture in railways

For years, Indian Railways' VIP culture has been associated with travelling in saloons

3 cops per VIP in India but only one policeman for 663 citizens: report

India has only one cop for every 663 citizens for ordinary policing work

Police, defence vehicles allowed to use multi-colour beacons

Last month, Union Cabinet decided to remove beacon lights from all vehicles from May 1

An end to VIP culture? Modi govt bans red beacon cars for babus, ministers

However, President, Vice President, Prime Minister, CJI, LS Speaker will be exempted from the ban