It refers to media-reports about RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav having been lodged in Upper Division Cell of Birsa Munda Central Jail (Ranchi) having two wings each having four rooms, with only VIP prisoners privileged of having separate rooms with VIP facilities otherwise not available to normal prisoners. Stay of former Bihar Chief Minister in this jail in the year 2017, is the second one after first spell being in the year 2013.
At least there must not be any distinction amongst those having found guilty in respect of prison. Even VIP prisoners most of which are politicians must taste hardships of prison life as borne by normal prisoners also to act as deterrent for others against committing crimes. Privileged VIP life-style in jails is nothing but a relaxing resort for prison-duration for leading politicians being lodged in Upper Class like travelling in first-class air-conditioned rail-coaches at government-expense.
Princely facility of exclusive jail-cells for VIPs should be abolished, by adopting some other system for security-considerations of those requiring special security. Likewise system of converting palatial rest-house into temporary jails for luxurious prison-comfort of VIP prisoners should also be done away.
Madhu Agrawal
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
