Lalbaugcha Raja's VIP Culture Sparks Debate Online! Netizens Ask Isn't God Equal For All?

Lalbaugcha Raja VIP culture where rich personalities get ample of time for darshans while commoners are pushed quickly becomes topic of debate online

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Lalbaugcha Raja's VIP Culture Sparks Debate Online! Netizens Ask Isn't God Equal For All?
Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja, one of the most popular and revered Ganesh idols, is celebrated each year in a grand pandal that attracts millions of devotees from across the globe. The idol is displayed for around 11 days during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, drawing crowds of worshippers who seek blessings and offer prayers. This year, 2024, marked the 91st anniversary of the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal, with Mukh Darshan and Navasachi starting on September 7. As usual, videos of the event flooded social media, but unlike previous years, these clips brought attention to an ongoing issue: the stark disparity between how VIPs and ordinary devotees are treated.

One such video was shared by industrialist Harsh Goenka, which quickly went viral. In his post, Goenka commented on the unequal treatment of devotees, writing, "Ever wondered why people opt for VIP darshan at Lalbaugcha Raja? It’s because the common devotee often faces long waits and crowds, highlighting the unequal treatment. Isn’t faith supposed to be equal for all?” This statement, paired with the video, struck a chord with many who felt the frustration of being treated as less important at such a spiritual event.


The video itself paints a vivid picture of the situation. As the gates to the pandal open, throngs of ordinary devotees rush in, eager to catch a glimpse of the Ganesha idol. However, within moments, security staff are seen closing the gates abruptly, causing chaos and confusion as people struggle to enter. The footage ends with a touching moment where a woman is seen comforting another, seemingly shaken from the near stampede-like experience.


Other videos circulating online also highlight similar issues. In one clip, the security staff at the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal are seen roughly handling devotees, pushing them aside without giving them time to properly offer their prayers. Meanwhile, a VIP family is shown posing leisurely for photos in front of the idol, a stark contrast to the rushed and chaotic experience of the regular devotees.

These scenes have sparked outrage on social media, with many expressing their discontent over the preferential treatment VIPs receive during darshan. One user commented, "I feel sorry for those devotees being pushed who stand in the queue for hours and get a glimpse for a second whereas VIPs who break the queue get to stand there and take a selfie. God definitely doesn’t like this.” Another added, "Faith, religion, law, and access to quality services should be equal for all, but unfortunately, the ground reality is different."

The discontent stems from the fact that many ordinary devotees, who travel long distances and wait for hours, are treated poorly, while VIPs are given special access. One individual suggested the pandal should be declared "VIP only" to avoid misleading common devotees. Another pointed out the irony, saying, "We live in a world where the privileged think even God is available with better access to money!"

The conversation has reignited debates about equality, particularly in spiritual spaces, and many are calling for a more inclusive and respectful experience for all devotees at Lalbaugcha Raja.

Image Source: Twitter
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