Answer

Introduction

Recent debates on VIP culture and power display in India highlight how hierarchical mindsets continue to shape public life despite decades of democracy. Everyday practices from VVIP convoys halting traffic to sycophancy within bureaucracy reflect deeper distortions in equality and institutional conduct. Understanding these behaviours is essential to restore democratic dignity and public accountability.

Body

How performative display of power undermines equality and institutional professionalism

• Creates a hierarchy-driven public culture: Power is projected through symbols like VIP convoys, red/blue beacons, and heavy security, reinforcing that some citizens are “above” others.
• Normalises public inconvenience and unequal citizenship: Traffic stoppages, priority passage, and special treatment erode the idea that all citizens are equal before the law.
• Breeds sycophancy within institutions: Officers defer excessively to superiors, compromising merit, independent judgement, and administrative integrity.
• Encourages misuse of authority: Lower-ranking officials emulate the same power display, often abusing citizens to protect VIPs.
• Weakens public trust in governance: When officials seek to project status instead of serving people, institutions appear self-serving rather than accountable.

How to reduce this tendency

• Strengthen accountability and enforce rules uniformly: Strict penalties for misuse of VIP privileges, traffic disruptions, and security excesses.
• Professionalise bureaucracy through training and codes of conduct: Promote merit, impartiality, and respectful communication norms; discourage sycophancy.
  Eg: The institutional culture encouraging “sir…sir” behaviour reflects lack of enforced professional standards.
• Limit symbols of status and power projection: Restrict beacon lights, oversized plaques, and unnecessary convoys to essential security situations only.
• Empower local accountability and citizen oversight: Encourage grievance mechanisms, ombudsman systems, and civic audits to check abuse of power.
  Eg: Public outrage after VVIP convoy disruptions shows people are ready to question excesses.
• Promote cultural change through leadership example: Visible modesty by top leaders can shift norms; countries where PMs use public transport set powerful precedents.
  Eg: Contrast with foreign leaders travelling like ordinary citizens, unlike India’s tradition of showcasing power.

Conclusion

VIP culture persists because symbols of status overshadow democratic values, weakening professionalism and public trust. Reducing these practices requires both institutional reform and a cultural shift toward humility and service. A democracy matures only when power is exercised quietly, not performed loudly.

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