“LAL BATTI CULTURE”

Dr. Priya Kalyanasundaram , Head of Department

Sankara Institute of Management Science(SIMS)

About six categories of beacons primarily red, blue and yellow are in use in India. But the red, or the coveted “lal batti”, has been drawing maximum attention as an elitist VIP symbol since the British rulers introduced it. People often saw these flashing lights as shining examples of power and VIP status, more than security aids. Status-conscious politicians and government officials are also accused of using the beacons to bypass the gridlocked city traffic on official business and show off their importance. Even lower-level politicians and officials misuse the beacons to show off their importance, especially in smaller towns.

As per our Prime Minister Narendra Modi “ Every Indian is special, every Indian is a VIP,” he has decided to shake up India’s privileged VIP culture, most notably symbolised by flashing red beacon lights on top of vehicles, by scrapping a rule that allowed the Central and State governments to nominate dignitaries who could use such lights. This decision was taken at a meeting of road transport officials with the prime minister’s office on April 15. The Prime Minister informed his cabinet about the move on Wednesday. “We have decided to remove the clause from the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, that gave the Centre and states the power to decide who should be allowed to display red beacons. Moreover, States are also being stripped of their power to specify persons whose vehicles can use blue flashing lights. From May 1^st , only emergency services vehicles such as ambulances, fire engine trucks, and police vehicles will be allowed to use blue lights. Red lights will not be permitted on any vehicle. Private vehicles will not be allowed to use either red or blue lights.

In 2014, the Supreme Court said the use of beacons should be restricted and only constitutional authorities should be allowed to use it. “Red beacons and multi-toned horns are reflective of Raj mentality and are an antithesis of the concept of a republic. With lal batti removal PM Narendra Modi’s vision of new India took a step forward.