New Delhi: The Centre has decided not to scale down the security of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra. Minister of State Home Kiren Rijiju says matters of security should not be politicised and all concerned agencies will review and decide who needs security.
Rijiju told CNN-IBN that any decision on personal security will be based on threat perception and will not be politicised. "This is not a welcome step. They are enjoying security cover since so many years then why are they raising this issue now. Security is not the issue to be judged by the whims and fancies of individuals," replied Rijiju when asked about Priyanka's letter to the Special Protection Group (SPG) Director seeking withdrawal of security.
Priyanka had on May 31 written to the SPG Director asking for withdrawal of special treatment given to her children, her husband and herself at airports.
Priyanka in her letter has said that they were given these privileges by the agency itself without asking for them. "I would like to bring to your notice that his (Vadra's) inclusion on that list came about at the insistence of your predecessors in the SPG/Delhi Police and not upon any request by either of us. Ever since then, it has been a source of constant embarrassment for my husband who has asked me on numerous occasions to have it removed," she said.
She also added her request for removal of security when the family travels together. "Since the government is now reportedly considering the removal of his name, I would like to inform you that I do not feel it will be correct for my children and me to avail of the facility of exemption when we are all traveling together."
Her letter comes a day after Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju hinted that Robert Vadra may be denied the privilege of not being frisked at airports. The SPG has said that the decision of withdrawal of security will be based on reports from the intelligence agencies.
The Civil Aviation Minister had on May 29 said that they may re-look into Vadra's security exemptions at airports. "Security should be meaningful and not ornamental. It will depend on whether the Home Ministry feels there is a threat perception, and I am not talking about Vadra, we'll have to see," Pusapati had said.
Vadra currently is in the VIP list and enjoys the privilege of going unchecked at airports. The change of guard at the Centre, however, can change the privileges he used to get as Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law. Earlier too, various passenger bodies had objected to Vadra being exempted from frisking at airports.
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