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2 min readNew DelhiJun 25, 2026 05:01 AM IST
UNDERLINING THE need for leadership that is accessible and accountable, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday said the perception of “VIP culture” could weaken the trust between citizens and government.
Radhakrishnan was speaking at the launch of the book, VIP Culture in India: Power, Privilege and the Distance from Democracy, by Nabam Rebia, former Rajya Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh, and Sandeep Kumar, a UPSC coach and motivational speaker.
“Democracy flourishes when public office is seen as a responsibility rather than a special privilege. True leadership is always being accessible, accountable and connected to the aspirations of an ordinary man and woman,” Radhakrishnan said.
Speaking on VIP culture, he said: “The phenomenon commonly described as VIP culture has been a subject of public debate. It includes both visible privileges and the perception that some people receive special treatment due to their position. Such perceptions can weaken public trust and create a sense of distance between the citizens and the institutions,” he said.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasised that “public office is a means of service, rather than a privilege”. Quoting the Prime Minister’s remarks after the government’s decision to do away with red beacons on the cars of VIPs, the Vice-President said: “Every Indian is special, every Indian is a VIP”.
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