If you are enraging about the fact that the Uttar Pradesh DGP, OP Singh, referred to Unnao rape accused MLA, Kuldeep Singh Sengar as “mananiya (honourable) DGP,” at a press meet, calm yourself. You should be glad that DGP Singh didn’t stand up and bow his head in obeisance while taking Senger’s name. Mediapersons present at the press briefing were quick to ask how was Sengar “honourable”? Singh said, “His (Sengar’s) crimes have not been proven yet, and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be given respect of his position.”
Singh probably forgot to mention one crucial thing in his defense. You see, Senger may have been accused of a sordid crime but he is still an MLA in the state of Uttar Pradesh. In 2017, Yogi Adityanath -led UP government had issued a new directive asking all government officials to show respect to MPs and MLAs by standing up and welcoming them whenever they visit their office. These instructions were issued by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar as part of the Protocol of Public Representatives. Which is perfectly in keeping with our sarkari culture which ensures that MLAs and MPs are accorded the highest respect, not because they deserve it, but because they demand it.
There is a reason why Bollywood, for the longest time, found its ideal villain in the corrupt MLA. In countless films like Kudrat Ka Kanoon and Aaj Ka Gundaraj, MLAs were depicted as power-hungry fiends who get away with murder by using political clout.
Any resemblance to reel-ity is entirely coincidental.
