Solapur, Maharashtra: Amidst Maharashtra’s current election campaign, security concerns of doing security cheque multiple Times on Uddhav Thackeray’s Helicopter has become hot national debate topic. The CM of Shiv Sena (UBT) was inspected twice in one day, and directly mocking Modi, Thackeray asked why a helicopter was not inspected during Modi’s recent visit to Solapur. Thackeray, becoming furious, recalled one incident in Odisha where an official was suspended after a similar cheque on his aircraft.
This is the second instance in the current electoral season that Thackeray’s helicopter has been inspected. Earlier, officials from the Election Commission had opened his bag at Yavatmal district, Wani helipad. Thackeray is not the only one who goes through those increased security cheques ; other leaders of Maharashtra, such as Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar and Ramdas Athawale, deputy chief minister, also through the same experience and raise the question about rules of frisking of VVIPs.
This occurrence has attracted vigour interest on the measures sizes certain dignitaries in view during air travel . Similar question was asked in Lok Sabha and in the reply given by the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India, it was put into the record that some people are allowed not to go through security cheque-up in India under protocols.
High ranking officials and dignitaries are exempted, as listed by the Ministry; 31 specific categories indeed. This includes the President, Vice President, the Prime Minister, Governors of States, former Presidents and Vice Presidents, the Chief Justice of India, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and other central Ministers of cabinet rank, Chief Ministers/Deputy Chief Ministers of States and leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha. Other officials who are also restricted include holders of India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna; foreign ambassadors; high commissioners and their spouses.
This exemption is enjoyed by the Judges of the High Court, the Chief Election Commissioner, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and several others. Interestingly, the foreign dignitaries at the same level, Dalai Lama and the people under Special Protection Group (SPG) security are also without the cheque list. Also, former Presidents and Prime Ministers and their spouses have been free from these cheques.
The exemption list is constructed based on the three fundamental criteria. Firstly, due to the high importance and responsibilities that are related with such profiles, the protocols are considered and drawn. Secondly, it is allowed to heads of foreign states and other officials who belong to a privileged rank of society. Finally, the exemption is expected to prevent security compromise by reducing the degree of access to those people who hold key positions.
While the election heat rises in Maharashtra, Thackeray’s helicopter issue raises questions about tensions between adherence to protocol, his respect, and security in events exciting the political stakes. The notion of why some leaders are checkable, while others are not has remained relevant, and this would cause more introspection on such procedures.