Godmen pull political strings for special airport security privileges

New Delhi: The civil aviation ministry received requests last month to waive rules for at least three religious leaders — one wanted direct access to the tarmac, the others asked for exemption from physical security checks.
One of the requests was backed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, another by Sports Minister Ajay Maken.
The Shankaracharya of Kanchi, Jayendra Saraswati, asked to be allowed to go up to the tarmac at airports across the country. The request was backed by a recommendation from Sonia’s office, and was granted the same day, a civil aviation ministry official said.
“The request was granted on medical grounds. Shankara-charya’s vehicle will be allowed until the tarmac following a security check,” the official said.
Maken sought exemption from frisking for Baba Laxman Das Ji Maharaj of Jhandewalan, revered as “Kalyug ke Bhagwan”, saying no human being was allowed to touch him.
04/01/12 Smita Aggarwal/Indian Express

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Categories: airports Jan 2012