VIP culture invites another protest to Teen Talwar
A group of affluent citizens send out a message against VIP culture.
KARACHI:
The list of the stories about the infamous 'VIP' culture is long: from civilians' killings by the unruly sons or armed guards of the mighty to the women delivering their babies on roads, stuck up in the hours-long traffic jams due to VIP movements.
It seems that the power of the vote of more than 180 million has strengthened the 'very important personalities' clan instead of mitigating it over the span of six decades.
However, sparing a few hours to stage a non-violent protest and shout some courageous slogans can definitely make a difference. This was witnessed at the Teen Talwar roundabout on Saturday. A group of a few affluent citizens of the society staged a protest to denounce the VIP culture in the society. Interestingly, this was second in a month.
At the busy roundabout, policemen and traffic police personnel stood decently and alert to hold up any motorist trying to violate the traffic signals. Every time such a motorcade passed, they shouted in unanimity: "Don't break the law". Many drivers reversed their vehicles in an apologetic manner, while others chose not to care.
"We want this culture of discriminatory treatment to come to an end once and for all," shouted a young man."We wish for a Pakistan that is equally owned by all."
Interestingly, the protesters included the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Samar Ali Khan. "Most of the VIPs live in my constituency," said Khan, as he distributed pamphlets among the vehicles stopping at the traffic signal. "So I am here to educate the people to end this culture."
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2014.
The list of the stories about the infamous 'VIP' culture is long: from civilians' killings by the unruly sons or armed guards of the mighty to the women delivering their babies on roads, stuck up in the hours-long traffic jams due to VIP movements.
It seems that the power of the vote of more than 180 million has strengthened the 'very important personalities' clan instead of mitigating it over the span of six decades.
However, sparing a few hours to stage a non-violent protest and shout some courageous slogans can definitely make a difference. This was witnessed at the Teen Talwar roundabout on Saturday. A group of a few affluent citizens of the society staged a protest to denounce the VIP culture in the society. Interestingly, this was second in a month.
At the busy roundabout, policemen and traffic police personnel stood decently and alert to hold up any motorist trying to violate the traffic signals. Every time such a motorcade passed, they shouted in unanimity: "Don't break the law". Many drivers reversed their vehicles in an apologetic manner, while others chose not to care.
"We want this culture of discriminatory treatment to come to an end once and for all," shouted a young man."We wish for a Pakistan that is equally owned by all."
Interestingly, the protesters included the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmaker Samar Ali Khan. "Most of the VIPs live in my constituency," said Khan, as he distributed pamphlets among the vehicles stopping at the traffic signal. "So I am here to educate the people to end this culture."
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2014.