Presidential Pomp

When C. Rajagopalachari took office as the first Indian governor-general, he had serious reservations about living in Rashtrapati Bhavan. H...

When C. Rajagopalachari took office as the first Indian governor-general, he had serious reservations about living in Rashtrapati Bhavan. He would have preferred an ordinary government bungalow, and moved in only because Nehru insisted that the Head of State had to be housed in a suitably august edifice.

Fifty years on, Shankar Dayal Sharma, grown used to the comforts of the first citizen8217;s residence, has apparently asked for Rs 40 lakh from the public kitty to furnish his bungalow.

The home of the President seems to be exerting a somewhat unhealthy influence on his office. Rajagopalachari had also suggested that Rashtrapati Bhavan be converted into a museum or public building. It is a proposal that has been reiterated several times over the years by others, only to be treated as something akin to treason.

To open Rashtrapati Bhavan to the common herd would apparently amount to belittling the office of the President. But now, with Sharma8217;s sobering example before us, perhaps it merits more reasoned consideration. Rashtrapati Bhavan is part of the baggage of the Raj, along with the Presidential buggy and the gun carriage at State funerals.

There are convincing arguments for doing away with a legacy that has become irrelevant and, indeed, laughable. Getting rid of the buggy would also mean getting rid of the little people who follow it, little pans in hand, to clean up the dung that is an inevitable corollary of buggy-borne travel.

Opening Rashtrapati Bhavan to the public would have more meaningful implications. It could be converted into museum and archive space that is desperately needed. The State gifts that the presidents have received over the last 50 years would alone make an interesting exhibit.

Besides, entrance fees could pay for the upkeep of the whole complex, and thereby take some pressure off the exchequer. The President could work and live in one part of the building, thereby keeping the dignity of his office intact. If royalty can do it the world over without suffering significant loss of face, so can our President.

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There is also no reason for presidents to be cared for by the State after they have stepped down. They perform no particularly signal service to the nation, and there is no reason for the government to take out an insurance policy in their names.

Hundreds of thousands of people make do with their pensions. The President should be no exception. Yet, several presidents have eagerly sought government accommodation despite having residences of their own.

The State can certainly help past presidents along, but there is no compelling reason for it to assure them an address for life. Throughout the world, heads of State retire gracefully. It is only here that they hang on to the trappings of office. For starters, we should stop bankrolling past presidents.

And then, hopefully, Rashtrapati Bhavan can be put to better use. It was originally intended to awe the natives with the pomp and circumstance of the Raj. The natives have taken possession of the property now, and there is no need for them to impress one another.