A VIP over-ruling the pilot’s recommendation against take-off and then risking an incident in the air is almost the same as one over-ruling the pilot’s recommendation for take-off and then purposely creating an incident on the ground.
Also, the SPG is not some bunch of amateur private security guards in ill-fitting uniforms recruited from an uneducated unemployable migrant labour to be exploited for ₹8,000 per shift of 8 hours opening and closing housing society gates. They recruit, train, and equip for this all their career at a special facility in Manesar. They simulate and practice such situations on a regular basis. They are thorough professional soldiers, just like the helicopter pilot who the PM most probably over-ruled though the flying conditions were near-perfect and totally safe.
No protestor was carrying any weapon. They were not prepared with a petition to hand over or an escape plan had they had any designs on the VIP’s life. They came unprepared to create any credible threat to the most highly protected person in the sub-continent. Either they were idiots, amateurs, or simply not there to cause any harm other than having found themselves serendipitously smack bang on the same road as the PM’s convoy, for which the state police was given 30 minutes to clear and sanitise a 200km stretch. Even given that, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (the members of which can now be found in every corner of Punjab) had a fair number of counter-protesters being brought to the rally venue by the BJP. They (the BJP supporters) did disembark and raise the BJP flag. No one side had as many people to cause any harm or disturbance. In fact, the BJP supporters were much closer to the PM’s cavalcade than anyone else. It is hardly a matter of concern for a political leader to be surrounded by his own supporters.
In short, the PM was never in any danger to his life.
So then, what was is he trying to save?
A. Criticism of expense on his security which has recently inducted a multi-million dollar car and other gadgets.
B. Punjab BJP, the representatives of which are afraid to step out in the state before dark and without disguise.
C. His own embarrassment at a thinly attended election meeting where less than 1% of the expected ‘crowd’ showed up.
D. All of the above.
