Why People Hate Lal-Batti on Government Vehicles?

There was an army jawan who was in the habit of getting drunk regularly. He faced suspensions and other punishments but did not improve and his drinking habit got worsened. Everyone gave up.

One day a kind hearted Army officer tried to reform him and he called him to his office and said very kindly, "Dear Friend, you have suffered so much in your life due to your habit of drinking. If you can only give up, you can one day become a Colonel."

The Jawan saluted the officer smartly and said, "I know that Sir. But when I am drunk, I do not consider myself less than a General."

Such is the power of intoxication which blinds men from seeing the truth. Men are strange specie. They get intoxicated by not only alcohol (which any other specie would become) but they can get intoxicated by such symbols of state like Uniform, Medals and Lal Batti (Red-light) on the top of the vehicle. Since these things are not allowed to ordinary citizen, these symbols become invaluable. People can give their lives for such symbols which distinguishes them from others. They feel superior.

What is the status of a Government officer in our country? Even the top-most Government officer (Cabinet Secy.) gets less salary than many newly appointed IIM Graduates. The top salary of CEO of India would be 100 times more than the cabinet salary.

Yet even the best minds often try to come to Civil Services and in Politics for the lure of this external symbol which represents power. When they sit in a old Ambassador with Lal Batti, they  do not feel inferior than a businessman who is sitting in BMW costing ten times more. They can talk to them as equal without feeling inferior. Thus a thousand Rs Lal Batti enhances the value of car many fold.

In reality,  the contempt of people for lal batti is not due to the lal batti but for the man who sits in the car with lal batti. If bureaucrats/politicians perform and respected in society, lal batti (red-becons) may become a symbol of respect and admiration. No one raise any finger when (police) vehicles are fitted with red lights in Western Countries. If bureaucrats are hated they shall be so even after they have no lal batti. They will also not become more efficient once lal bati is gone.