Security fears for Indian minister

It is possible to walk into the forecourt of the house

By Alastair Lawson in Delhi

A prominent member of the Indian cabinet, Arun Shourie, has expressed concern about the level of security for the newly-installed Defence Minister, George Fernandes.

George Fernandes: Likes to mingle with the public

Mr Sourie has been joined by prominent journalists - including Indian Express editor Shekhar Gupta - who say that the low level of security at Mr Fernandes' house is worrying.

A visit to the defence minister's home in Delhi bears out the concerns of many in the Indian establishment.

For one of the most senior ministers in the Indian cabinet, the security is negligible.

Open house

In contrast to other houses in the street where he lives, there is no cast iron gate and no guards.

It is possible to stroll into the forecourt of the house and take photographs without being challenged.

Security may have to be stepped up

Mr Fernandes was re-appointed as defence minister last week after he resigned in March following a defence purchase scandal.

A leading team of journalists working for the investigative internet news and current affairs portal, Tehelka Dotcom, revealed evidence of what it said was senior members of his ministry taking bribes in return for awarding arms contracts.

The door to an office adjoining the house of Mr Fernandes is open to all visitors, as is a reception room nearby.

Visitors are told that if they want to see him, they should come back in the evening to make an appointment.

Public access

The reasons behind the lack of protection are twofold.

The first is that he has only been recently re-installed as defence minister.

It appears that the government machine that provides security to senior ministers has yet to swing into action.

The other explanation revolves around the character of Mr Fernandes himself.

A political maverick, he has always made clear his dislike of excessive security and has tried to make himself available to his supporters.

That explains why a wide range of groups can sometimes be seen in or outside his home - from Burmese dissidents to activists campaigning to remove the Chinese from Tibet.

More security

With Kashmiri militants now carrying out attacks in Delhi, and with a climate of fear throughout India following a series of anthrax scares, it is inevitable that the authorities will be putting pressure on Mr Fernandes to beef up his security.

He will probably have to have armed guards which are provided to other senior Indian ministers.

But even if more security is forthcoming, Mr Fernandes' bodyguards could face a hard task.

He is a minister who obviously enjoys mingling with the public, and relishes his frequent visits to Kashmir where he meets troops and members of the security forces.

But it looks as though the days of open house at his home in Delhi may be coming to an end.