Author: Mohan Sahay in New Delhi
Publication: The Statesman
Date: February 16, 2002
Many MPs have arrogated to themselves
the right to insist on being treated as a class apart, particularly when
asked to comply with security-related rules.
The persons assigned to protect
VIPs at Parliament House complex had a tough time trying to come to terms
with revised security measures after 13 December. Apart from terrorist
threats, they have to put up with tongue-lashing from MPs too. With the
budget session due to start on 25 February, the security personnel are
gearing up for the twin challenge.
At 3.10 p.m. today, a car approached
the main entrance of Parliament House from Vijay Chowk. It had two parking
labels and was stopped for checking. Asked for identification, a political
leader who was in the car said: "I am....." "OK sir, does your driver have
a security pass?" a security official asked. The leader replied: "He doesn't
have one, but he is my driver and that should be enough."
"Sorry sir, the instructions come
from above sir, we are helpless, we have to to carry out the orders" the
official explained. Mr Anand Sharma, former MP and the AICC spokesman,
was in a rage as he alighted from the car. "This Parliament is for us and
you people want to convert it into Tihar jail?" Mr Sharma shouted. "Where
is Samuel, I'll speak to him. None of you will be here.''
"The people who should have been
stopped could not be stopped. They entered Parliament and attacked it.
Now you want to stop us. Don't you see I'm sick?" The officials offered
Mr Sharma the Maruti van parked outside the gate to ferry MPs inside. "You
want me to sit in this van? What about my car of Rs 5,00,000?" Mr Sharma
screamed. "Remember, it's not our government, had it been ours we would
have removed all these barriers."
