Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents his administration as a model of selfless public service, renaming streets and offices to highlight a commitment to ordinary citizens. Yet, India’s entrenched VIP culture often tells a different story, with high-ranking officials’ movements disrupting daily life, closing transportation lines, and even endangering public safety. From fatal stampedes to restricted hospital access, the privileges of the powerful reveal a hierarchy that clashes with democratic ideals. In this episode, we explore the tension between political rhetoric and reality, asking whether India’s leaders truly serve the public—or just themselves.

https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/02/22/indias-vip-culture-is-out-of-control