Context:
Samajwadi Party (SP) leader and former minister Azam Khan has refused the Y-category security cover offered to him by the Uttar Pradesh government, citing inability to afford the costs associated with maintaining it.
Key Highlights / Details:
- Background:
- Azam Khan’s Y-category security, comprising eight police personnel, was reinstated soon after his release on September 23, following 23 months in jail.
- He was granted bail recently after a series of legal battles related to various charges filed against him.
- Reason for Refusal:
- According to his son, Abdullah Azam, the family is not rejecting security but is unable to bear the logistical and operational costs incurred in maintaining and transporting the security personnel.
- Security Classification:
- The Y-category security typically includes 6–8 personnel, provided based on threat perception, and often requires the beneficiary to bear certain incidental costs unless fully state-sponsored.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Security Categories in India:
- X, Y, Y+, Z, and Z+ are the official security categories, determined by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) or respective State governments.
- Z+ is the highest level of security, usually provided by elite forces like the NSG.
- Who Decides: Threat perception is assessed by Intelligence Bureau (IB) or State Intelligence Units.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Governance and Public Spending: Raises questions about the balance between state-sponsored protection and personal affordability.
- Political Sensitivity: Reflects the intersection of security administration and political dynamics in state-level governance.
- Ethics & Public Accountability: Security provisions should align with public interest rather than privilege-based entitlement.