We all may still be remembering the story of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa about taking a week before advising a boy on not eating much sweets. He tried to control his own sweet tooth, before preaching to someone else. In all parts of the world and in all societies the virtue of ‘Practice before Preach’ was valued; especially to – Teachers.
Alas! A society would turn into what parents and teachers behave before their children and students. What’s the use of writing ‘Satyameva Jayate’, when parents do lie before their own kids? What standards are teachers setting for the generation of students who respect teachers, more than the knowledge, for their ‘character’, if they do set wrong examples? Of course, the syndrome is not restricted to teachers alone, but considering the reverence associated with this profession, they are often criticised.
Incident: Kashmir University VC ’s car was stopped during a routine check and was found with tinted films shielding the windows. Police promptly removed the film, even after VC identified himself. VC had an argument.
VC of Kashmir University, Prof Andrabi claimed he was entitled to Y-category security and thus his car is exempted from the rule that is applicable to – commoners. Good, he spoke like a true blue Delhi citizen who starts the conversation by saying “Do you know who I am”? Considering the easiest way in India to get even Z-category security and exemption from checking at airports is by marrying into the strongest families, Prof Andrabi is relatively soft spoken and mild natured. He is just an example of how feudal lords have empowered themselves in the so called socialist society.
Well, this was reported by one news channel as the latest example of VVIP racism. Considering we see many such incidents on daily basis, we treat them part of routine. We regularly watch such incidents and denounce the abuser and pat the police for doing their duty, at least for a change. And when we can, we are more than willing to exhibit whatever the little might that we can throw around.
Of course, everyone practices double standards. Still, when a man who attained the pinnacle in the noblest position behaves like a common show off, all we can do is sigh heavily; maybe the result of over exertion due to over exposure to mockery of power.
This news, has attracted my attention – not for the tantrums thrown by the VC. If he can’t remark on the DySP, what is the use of being a VC? No? Of course, the DySP had told the Professor that he is well in his powers to detain the car as per law, but he choose to remove the film and allowed the car and its owner to go. Professor feels he was unnecessarily held up for 15 to 20 minutes on the road, till the film was removed. Considering the rate of schools burning, I really can understand his urgency. He need to impart knowledge, before last of the schools burn. No? Even the DySP had uploaded the video onto facebook, which enhanced the fury of the Professor. Even this is regular, considering the clear instructions given to ‘ordinary citizens’ by none other than the CM of Delhi; to conduct sting operations and expose everyone, including himself.
So, what attracted me?
The news like – “A probationer DySP threatens Kashmir University VC on Jam-Sgr highway, peels off tinted film from his car”.
This is really funny. Considering they were trying to project this as another atrocity committed by India on an honourable Kashmiri, they forgot that even the DySP was a Kashmiri. If they identify police with Indian government, even the Vice chancellor who draw more salary and perks than the DySP too works for the Indian government. Moreover, it was pointed that DySP is still on probation. So what? A probation officer is not entitled to remove film on the glass windows of a car? Had it been in Mumbai or Delhi, regular traffic constable would have asked the VC to remove the film on his own; unless a financial settlement was in the offing, of course.
What surprised me more was the reference to the Supreme Court direction including references. Hahaha! It was quoted the directive from SC about the exemption for certain VVIPs. Then, to my surprise, the news report ends, abruptly! Should they have not enquired whether the Vice Chancellor of a University was entitled for the exemption or not? And, if the Professor was entitled for an exemption, he must be having the permission from ‘competent authority’ in writing. Why he has not shown this piece of paper to police, if he really was entitled to such an exemption?
How much power the Professor could exert over the government on this episode on ‘making the DySP’ understand is not known. But, he was infuriated at the DySP posting the video on facebook because of which, he feels his image and reputation are tarnished. The learned Professor may know better that image and reputation are built and spoilt by one’s own actions and are not affected by others. Now, I wonder what the criteria to select the Vice Chancellor is.
