Vice President Radhakrishnan Takes Strong Stand Against VIP Culture At Book Launch
Radhakrishnan condemns VIP culture, stresses public responsibility.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday released a book titled VIP Culture in India: Power, Privilege and the Distance from Democracy, authored by former Member of Parliament Nabam Rebia and co-authored by Sandeep Kumar, at an event in New Delhi. The book examines the nature of privilege in public life and its impact on democratic institutions in India. Speaking at the launch, the Vice-President reiterated that public office should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a privilege, stressing that accountability and service must remain at the core of governance.
He said that democratic systems function most effectively when those in authority remain connected to the citizens they serve, and when institutional behaviour reflects humility and accessibility. Radhakrishnan referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “Every Indian is special. Every Indian is a VIP,” noting that the idea reinforces the principle of equal respect for all citizens. He observed that both visible symbols of privilege and the perception of preferential treatment can weaken public trust and create a sense of distance between the government and the people.
The Vice-President further underlined that the Constitution of India is founded on the values of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity, and that these principles must guide the conduct of public representatives. He emphasised that democracy is strengthened when leaders recognise that their authority is derived from the people and must be exercised in their service rather than for personal or institutional privilege. Quoting the Tamil saint-poet Thiruvalluvar, he highlighted that true leadership is defined by accessibility, compassion and accountability.
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Leaders who remain approachable and respectful toward citizens, he said, are more likely to earn long-term trust and contribute to a healthier democratic culture. He added that leadership is not measured by status symbols but by the ability to serve effectively and fairly. The Vice-President also pointed to recent decisions and actions taken by the Prime Minister as examples of citizen-centric governance, including the abolition of red beacon lights for dignitaries and interventions aimed at reducing inconvenience to the public during high-traffic events.
According to him, such measures reflect an evolving governance approach that prioritises public welfare over protocol-based privilege. Concluding his remarks, Radhakrishnan said that the themes discussed in the book align with a broader national emphasis on redefining public service. He noted that strengthening democracy requires continuous effort to bridge the gap between institutions and citizens, ensuring that governance remains inclusive, transparent and grounded in service-oriented values.
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