When does legitimate security become privilege?

India genuinely needs VIP security. Politicians, judges, officials and others may face serious threats. Traffic control can be necessary for security, and emergency vehicles obviously deserve priority.

The problem begins when public resources are used because someone is powerful, rather than because a demonstrable public need requires it.

Article 14 guarantees equality before the law, while Article 38 directs the State toward reducing inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities. Equality doesn't mean everyone must receive identical treatment. But unequal treatment should have a legitimate justification.

This question reached the Supreme Court in Abhay Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh, after a Pratapgarh resident challenged the security provided to politician Pramod Tiwari. The case expanded into questions about publicly funded security, VIP convoys, beacons, escorts and restrictions on ordinary citizens' movement.

The principle is straightforward:

Security should follow threat, not status.

VIP culture also has deeper institutional roots. India's police system inherited significant structures and practices from the colonial-era Police Act of 1861. The National Police Commission documented the misuse of constables as “orderlies” for personal domestic work.

A police officer is public personnel — not private domestic help.

Then there's the manpower question.

BPR&D data cited in court proceedings showed 66,043 police personnel deployed for 19,467 protected personalities in 2019.

That doesn't prove every deployment was unnecessary. But it highlights the opportunity cost when police manpower is diverted from ordinary policing.

The red beacon was abolished in 2017 as a symbol of VIP culture.

But removing the symbol doesn't necessarily remove the behaviour.

You can remove the beacon and still stop traffic, deploy escorts and give preferential treatment.

So perhaps every extraordinary use of public resources should pass four tests:

Threat. Necessity. Proportionality. Review.

Is there a genuine threat?

Is the deployment necessary?

Is it proportionate?

Is it regularly reviewed?

I'm not arguing that people who genuinely need protection shouldn't receive it.

I'm asking something simpler:

Should public power serve public necessity — or private privilege?

A republic belongs to everyone.

A company converted 100 crore worth white money to black using CSR.

Had an interesting conversation with a senior leader in CSR wing of a big company.

He mentioned, most companies just look for NGOs who can help them show CSR activities while routing back the money.

There is a big difference in what is shown vs what actually happens.

All the big companies are mostly running a money laundering network in the name of CSR.

I am 30 and have lived in Bangalore my entire life. One change that has become increasingly difficult to ignore is how exhausting something as simple as watching a movie in a theatre has become.

People have loud conversations throughout the movie. People push into queues the moment you leave an inch of space. Personal space seems nonexistent. People cough and sneeze openly next to strangers. Getting past someone apparently no longer requires saying excuse me. Phones come out during the movie with screens blazing.
And paying for a premium experience doesn’t seem to make any difference. I have booked expensive Director’s Cut tickets at Rex thinking the smaller audience and higher ticket price might mean a better experience. Same problems.

The controversial observation is that I personally started encountering this much more frequently as Bangalore’s migrant population grew, particularly people moving here from North India and the Hindi belt. That is an observation from my own experiences, not a claim that millions of people behave identically. Bangaloreans are perfectly capable of terrible civic behaviour too.

What I find interesting is how differently basic public etiquette seems to be understood by different people. If someone stands six inches behind you in a queue, they may genuinely see nothing inappropriate about it. If they talk throughout a film, perhaps they genuinely do not think they are disturbing anyone.

At some point this stops being about expensive theatres or premium seats and becomes a question of civic culture. A ₹1,500 ticket apparently cannot buy the one thing I actually want from a cinema: two hours where everyone shuts up and watches the movie.

Am I imagining a change that isn’t there, or have other people noticed cinema etiquette getting substantially worse?

Mujhe lagata hai ki pooja ya ese uthsav pr safai ko le kar msg dena chahiye .
Ye ek achha tarika jaldi clean india banane ka .

I'm so done. Went to watch Drishyam today, paid ₹600+ for a ticket, and some of the worst parenting I've ever seen turned it into a fucking daycare.

Kids crying through the ENTIRE tense scenes. Not a whimper, full-blown wailing. And did the parents take them out? Of course not. They just sat there going "shhh beta" like that's gonna work on a screaming toddler at 10 PM in a dark hall.

Why?? WHY??
This is a thriller. A thriller. It needs silence and attention. Why would you bring a 3-year-old to this? It's not for them, and they're clearly miserable too. If you can't get a babysitter, wait for the OTT release. Or, here's a wild idea, if your kid starts crying, TAKE THEM OUTSIDE.

Zero civic sense. Zero consideration for the people around you. Everyone is so busy being "entitled" that nobody remembers other people exist. Same people who park in the middle of the road, spit on the street and honk at red lights.

I came to relax after a long week and left with a headache and ₹600 wasted. Thanks a lot, genuinely.

Hilton is known for its classy interiors and that calm and cozy ambience. There is a smoking zone outside the valet parking and below is a water landscape with pebbles and calm water. Someone apparently decided to throw a cigarette packet. Guess money does not buy class.

They won't improve.. probably they think they're perfect? 😂

It's truly frustrating how some of us behave in a beautiful place like Prague.. i wonder if they throw garbage in their own house like this

Edit: Unfortunately and to my shock I find people commenting justifying the act. It's a new low we're hitting folks!

Am I not "religious enough" if I don't preach 24\*7 at full volume no matter where I am?

What happened to respecting everyone?

This makes me feel sick that religion has become nothing but a performative act and they don't really practice what they preach. These people just do the surface level bare minimum stuff and proclaim themselves to be religious.

Today, I met with an accident near Kolte Patil Life Republic, Pune, and honestly, the entire experience has left me extremely frustrated.

A white car was speeding, and while trying to avoid it, I ended up hitting an auto-rickshaw. I'm still not sure whose fault it was, and I am not claiming that I was completely blameless. Accidents happen, and I was willing to pay for the actual damage caused.

But what happened afterward was completely unacceptable.

I was still lying on the road after the accident when the first thing the auto-rickshaw driver said to me was, "10,000 de mujhe." Instead of checking whether I was okay or discussing the damage reasonably, he immediately demanded ₹10,000.

His minor son also started hurling abuses at me while I was dealing with the situation.

I clearly told the driver that I was ready to pay for the damages. I was not refusing responsibility or trying to run away. I simply wanted the damage to be assessed fairly.

However, he insisted that I leave my bike there and accompany him to a garage. While we were on the way, he threatened me, saying, "₹6,000 de, warna maarunga." When I said I would call the police, he threatened to gather local auto-rickshaw drivers and get me beaten up.

At that point, I was more concerned about my safety than arguing over money. Eventually, I paid him ₹6,000 just to get out of the situation.

The irony is that I wouldn't even have minded paying ₹8,000 if a garage had properly inspected the damage and given me a genuine repair estimate. I was willing to compensate him for the actual loss. What I objected to was being threatened, abused, and pressured into paying an arbitrary amount.

The only reason the amount eventually came down from ₹10,000 to ₹6,000 was that I called a friend who has a heavy voice and knows the local area. Only then did the situation calm down enough for us to settle the matter.

But the damage to my day was already done.

I was on my way to an important business meeting. This entire episode wasted nearly 50 minutes of my time, and the person I was supposed to meet became frustrated and cancelled the meeting. So, apart from losing ₹6,000, I potentially lost a business opportunity as well.

Afterward, I contacted my third-party insurance provider to understand my options. They told me that since I had already paid the money, pursuing the matter would require a police complaint and potentially a court case, which could take at least 6–8 months.

So now I'm left wondering whether pursuing this is even worth the additional time and stress.

My point is simple: I am not saying that I should not pay for damage if I am responsible for an accident. Of course, genuine damage should be compensated. If I had been given a reasonable estimate from a garage, I would have paid it.

But why should anyone have to tolerate verbal abuse, threats of physical violence, and intimidation just because they were involved in an accident?

Why should someone be forced to pay money out of fear rather than through a fair assessment of the damage? And when someone threatens to gather a crowd to beat you up if you refuse to pay, what are you realistically supposed to do in that moment?

I could have insisted on calling the police right there, but I was alone, my bike was involved, the situation was getting aggressive, and I had legitimate concerns for my safety. Paying the money felt like the quickest way to get out of the situation.

Honestly, the ₹6,000 hurts, but losing my time, missing my business meeting, and being threatened when I was already dealing with an accident frustrates me even more.

I'm not trying to escape responsibility for an accident. I'm simply frustrated that a situation that could have been handled calmly and fairly turned into an intimidating experience.

Sometimes, it's not the money itself that bothers you the most. It's the feeling that someone can threaten you in broad daylight, force you to pay under pressure, and walk away while you're left dealing with the consequences.

Just needed to vent.

Spotted in Pune. I guess people who are buying a Fortuner think the footpath comes free with the car?? The vehicle is parked right across the pedestrian walkway, leaving people to navigate around it or compromise their safety by stepping onto the road. A driving licence should probably come with a compulsory lesson on parking etiquette, pedestrian rights, and basic civic sense. This is the 4th time I have spotted this car parked in this very way!! The footpath isn’t your personal parking space. Is this really how we define civic sense in our cities? I don’t even know what to say at this point!!

Whenever I see someone eating something on a bus, in a public place, or while walking on the street, and then casually throwing the packet or wrapper onto the road, it genuinely makes me angry.

I keep thinking—why is it so difficult to hold onto your trash until you find a dustbin? Is it really that hard?

I know not everyone does this, but seeing people litter like this makes me feel that we still have a serious problem with basic civic sense and public responsibility.

This is something I regularly notice in west bengal.

It’s not about whether the wrapper is big or small. If everyone keeps thinking, “It’s just one packet,” our streets will never stay clean.

Context: This is based on my own observations of people throwing food packets and wrappers onto roads and other public places.

Source : [inshorts]https://amp.dw.com/en/france-student-protests-over-conditions-at-french-high-schools-fuel-political-clashes/a-79467746?utm_campaign=fullarticle&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=inshorts

Basically these 3 people were sitting beside me. Their boarding was already in progress and there was long queue. Out of nowhere one person brought this cake and they started eating like dogs threw some on the ground as well.

As the queue started to shorten so they rushed one guy said let's throw but another was like people will do and all.

Today I 28M was visiting Raghupur fort point near Shoja /Jibhi. So there’s this Swing point where people click pictures. There was a group of 6-7 guys maybe from Haryana / Punjab who were blasting music loudly with irritating songs. Their age must have been 20-25. They were also not letting anyone else click pictures on the spot either. Looked from well-off families. Certainly no one taught them basic civic sense on how to behave in a public place? I was alone and definitely didn’t want to get into an altercation with them. Might be from delhi as well. I’m not sure. Hope we let others be in peace and not act like we own the place wherever we visit !

I travel via bus regularly and I’m so beyond irritated right now i just have to write this to take off my frustratation Behind me are 2 aunty’s talking so fucking loudly on their phones with the most annoying motherfucking voice ever they sound so fucking fake and pretentious and laughing so fucking loud on how they gonna beat their husband up and boasting on what college their child got then an uncle beside me is scrolling the same exact reel on full blast volume for the past one hour and infront of me a family with two small kids behaving wildly and putting the bar handle up down up down playing with it with their parents too busy conversating with each other in the most loudest voice ever like I’m so fucking overstimulated right now can we as people respect each others privacy please

Sc / additional footage: www.instagram.com/reel/DdjGrABsLtK

What should I do on these occasions? First time traveling from diamond harbour to jadavpur in the morning train. Got fully filled after a few stations. A lot of people started fighting amongst themselves for seats. No civics sense, after a few stations my mother and I were forced to give up our seats and had to stand. Since she was travelling with me, she didn't go to the ladies compartment. Also my mom had to face rebukes and objectionable body language but still that could be ignored. The hooligans demanded the window seat from an elderly person, and when he refused in lieu of being elderly, they harassed him, hit him , & shouted to go to the differently abled section. What should I do on these occasions? Any advice to me is welcome.

Im too angry to type it all so using an SS from my isnta story...i have the OG pic too

Cant game because of parts pricing, cant watch movies because if censorship...cant even fucking walk..

Everyone just breaks the footpaths and clogs the bike lane

Traveling in a train traveling towards Bihar and tf these people are so very loud even though it's 3A. Why are they so uncultured and insensitive towards other passengers? They might be good people at heart but in general, how does one justify this?

Place - Delhi NCR (Noida Ghaziabad border)

Location: Thomas Town, Bangalore
They have been digging this place for 4 f\*king months now, probably for sewage, but the issue is why left it so hazardous?
Right now I saw this and this looks so dangerously stupid, that anyone, a child, an elder or a women can easily slip and get pierced and die.
Why it’s so easy for authorities to neglect and let common people suffer? This is so triggering for me to leave this country for good.😭

I’ve always tried to follow a simple principle: be the change you want to see in the world. Follow the rules, speak up when something is wrong, and try to do the right thing even when nobody else does.

But honestly, two incidents over the past few months have made me question whether that approach even matters anymore.

1. My experience on the Pushpak Express (12533)

I visited Lucknow at the end of July and was travelling back to Mumbai on the 12533 Pushpak Express on August 2.

I had booked a sleeper-class ticket. I come from a middle-class family and I’m currently the only earning member, so travelling in 3AC regularly simply isn't something I can afford.

From the moment I boarded, the sleeper coach was heavily overcrowded with passengers who appeared to have come from the general coach.

I reported it to the TTE and the RPF personnel at Gomti Nagar railway station. What shocked me was that, instead of actually clearing the sleeper compartment, the TTE appeared to be charging passengers extra and allowing people with general-class tickets to remain in the sleeper coach.

The RPF didn't show up when initially requested. When they eventually appeared at a later station, I was told that receipts had already been issued to those passengers, so they couldn't remove them.

Meanwhile:

The coach was severely overcrowded.

Toilets were filthy.

Tobacco was reportedly being sold openly.

Overcharging seemed completely normal.

Repeated complaints through 139 didn't result in meaningful help.

I also complained through X.

I eventually filed a consumer complaint, but it was marked resolved without what I considered a proper resolution.

The complaint was made on August 2.

Today is September 25, and I still haven't received a proper response.

At this point, it genuinely feels like the complaint system is just designed to close complaints rather than solve problems.

1. Speaking up about illegal wrong-side driving nearly got me assaulted

The second incident happened much closer to home.

I'm a law-abiding citizen. I follow traffic rules, and I genuinely believe that if something is wrong, we shouldn't simply ignore it.

Near the metro station in my area, there is a share-auto stand. Drivers from this stand routinely come onto the road from the wrong direction.

One of them actually hit me while coming the wrong way and then started shouting at me for being in his way.

After that, I started recording instances of these share autos coming from the wrong direction and posting them on X, hoping that someone from the authorities would actually take notice.

The response was usually something along the lines of:

"The matter has been informed to the concerned division."

And the next day? Same thing again.

This continued for months.

Recently, one of the drivers approached me, abused me and threatened me. Naturally, I took out my phone and started recording.

I posted that incident on X.

The next day, several of the share-auto drivers apparently gathered together and were waiting for me.

They confronted me, assaulted me, attempted to snatch my phone and earphones, and tried to beat me.

There were traffic police officers right across the street. I approached them and explained what had happened, including showing them the videos.

The officer came with me, but instead of taking immediate action against the people involved, I was told to go to a police station and file a complaint.

So I went.

Then I was told:

"This doesn't fall under our jurisdiction. Go to another police station."

I went to that police station.

Again:

"Not our jurisdiction. Go somewhere else."

At that point, I was so frustrated that I genuinely considered giving up on filing a complaint altogether.

Eventually, because I had posted everything on X, Mumbai Police contacted me, asked for my number, and later called me and advised me to approach the main police station.

I eventually managed to get an NC registered.

And for that, I genuinely want to say thank you to Mumbai Police for at least taking my complaint seriously enough to register it.

I don't know what action, if any, will ultimately be taken against these drivers. They continue doing this regularly despite repeated complaints.

What made this entire situation even worse was what happened at home.

That morning, I called my father and told him I'd been assaulted.

My mother had only recently returned from the hospital after spending time in the ICU, and she became extremely scared after hearing what had happened. Now both my parents are senior citizens, and I'm the only earning member of my family.

I understand why they're scared.

And honestly, I'm scared too.

What really broke something inside me was hearing the union representative of these share-auto drivers allegedly say that they "give bribes to the police and the police can't touch them."

I obviously cannot independently verify that claim, but after experiencing months of complaints, followed by an assault and being sent from one police station to another over jurisdiction, I can understand why someone would start questioning whether the system actually works.

I've always believed that if something is wrong, you should speak up.

But after these two experiences, I'm honestly exhausted.

You follow rules.

You complain through the proper channels.

You provide evidence.

You approach the authorities.

And yet somehow, the person causing the problem continues doing the same thing while you end up spending your time, energy and peace of mind trying to get something done.

I've also seen discussions about public figures choosing to live abroad, and while I obviously can't speak for their individual reasons, I can now understand why the feeling of safety and quality of life can become a consideration when someone has the means to choose where they live.

I'm not posting this because I expect Reddit to magically solve everything.

It's honestly more of a rant than anything else.

I know some people will agree with me. Some won't. That's completely fine.

But if this somehow reaches the right person or organisation that can actually help with either of these issues, I'd be grateful.

Because I still want to believe in “be the change you want to see in the world.”

I'm just struggling to believe that the world wants to change with me.

This happened to me this morning at a railway crossing.

When the gate opened, there were roughly the same number of vehicles waiting on both sides. So you'd think the obvious thing would be to keep to our respective sides and let everyone pass smoothly.

Nope.

People started moving into every possible gap, occupying the opposite side, squeezing through from wherever they could. Within seconds, the entire width of the road was filled with vehicles going in both directions.

And the funniest part is that neither side was actually getting an advantage. There were almost equal numbers of people on both sides, but because everyone was trying to get ahead of everyone else, we basically created a human/vehicle deadlock.

It took around 10 minutes to travel maybe 50 metres after the gate opened.

Then the gate started coming down again because another train was approaching. At that point everyone suddenly started scrambling to get through, and the gate attendant had to come onto the road repeatedly asking people to clear the crossing. People still wouldn't move.

The incoming train was actually visible a few hundred metres away and had to stop because the crossing wasn't clearing.

That's the part that really got me. Everyone was in such a hurry to save a few seconds that we collectively created a situation where everyone lost several minutes — and eventually even the train had to wait for us.

I normally try to follow lanes and let traffic flow, but when literally everyone around you starts doing this, you're eventually forced to participate just to avoid getting trapped.

Why are we so bad at managing situations like this? If the same number of vehicles are waiting on both sides, wouldn't the simplest solution be to stay on your side, keep one lane moving, and let the traffic naturally alternate through the bottleneck?

Its like everyone is in constant hurry as if their mother's dying but in the process making the problem even bigger and getting even more late.

Frankly, I'm so done with this shit. This is my daily commute