RJD leader flouts PM's order, refuses to remove red beacon

Patna: While most of the ministers across the nation have already removed the red beacon atop their vehicles following the Centre's ruling, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Bhai Birendra yesterday said that he will not remove the beacon from his car as the order is not by the Bihar government.

"Which cabinet has decided this and why will Bihar follow any decision by the Delhi Cabinet? I will only follow this rule when the our state governement passes the same order," Birendra told ANI.

The government banned the use of red beacon on vehicles attached to dignitaries, including the central and state ministers and other VVIPs from May 1. It is reported that five categories would be allowed to use the red beacon which inlcudes the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The ban applies to union ministers, chief ministers, state cabinet ministers, bureaucrats and judges of the High Court and Supreme Court.

Last Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that new India is not about VIP but about EPI  (Every Person is Important). Speaking in the 31st edition of his monthly radio programme, he further said that people have developed a negative mindset for the VIP culture in the nation.

"People in our country dislike the VIP culture and this was brought to my notice only recently. So the government banned the use of red beacons atop vehicles no matter how prominent the leaders are," the Prime Minister said.

Backing the ban on red beacon, Prime Minister Modi earlier  also said that every Indian is special and a VIP.