New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Feb 23, 2004) suggested that the security provided to VVIPs should not be allowed to become a status symbol and it should not cause inconvenience to common man.

"Security should be there. But it should not be allowed to become a status symbol," he said, releasing the Hindi translation of a book authored by Governor of Andhra Pradesh S S Barnala, that speaks of his experiences outside the security once for 16 days.

Observing that a decision on the issue of security should be taken after proper thought, he said in the name of security, common man should not be put to any inconvenience and some steps had been taken in this direction.

"Security can be so exasperating and difficult, this book is proof of that," Advani said, adding that it portrays Barnala's experience when he quietly came out of the security net for 16 days.