Lalbaugcha Raja is arguably the most famous Ganpati Pandal in Mumbai and probably even in India. Each year, lakhs of devotees throng the pandal to seek the blessings of Bappa. However, what they expect to be a spiritually fulfilling experience turns into a stressful one. That is if they don’t have a VIP Pass. Recently, many people on social media, including industrialist Harsh Goenka and actor Simran Budharup, have shared their views and experiences at the pandal mainly due to the staff’s rough handling of Lalbaugcha Raja devotees who did not pay for VIP darshan.
Lalbaugcha Raja’s Staff Mired In Controversy Over VIP Darshan
Lalbaugcha Raja has become synonymous with Ganesh Chaturthi. Each year, it is one of the most highly-anticipated pandals to visit. It is no surprise, then, that come Ganeshotsav, it becomes one of the most crowded places you will ever see. Hence, the pandal offers a ‘VIP Pass’ that allows you to bypass the large crowd and get darshans for longer.
Of late, people have voiced concerns regarding this. Their concerns stem from videos that show discriminatory treatment by the staff of the pandal. While normal devotees are pushed, shoved and manhandled, getting only a second of darshan (or less), people with VIP passes get to take their sweet time and even click pictures.
All of this sparked a conversation about the lack of egalitarianism (i.e. a belief that all people must be treated equally) at such religious experiences. Visiting pandals is a crucial affirmation of faith for many Hindus. Allowing money to govern such experiences not only mars this affirmative experience but also sends out the wrong message.
Harsh Goenka And Actor Simran Budharup Share Their Views
The two most notable figures who have voiced concerns about this are actor Simran Budharup and Indian billionaire Harsh Goenka. Budharup took to her Instagram account and shared how she and her mother were manhandled by the staff. She also shared a video of her in a brawl with the guards.
She later also reshared a video which showed how the guards of the pandal discriminate between people who have VIP passes and people who don’t. Harsh Goenka, too, shared a video of people quite literally pouring in through the gates for darshan.
While many unanimously agreed that such discrimination should not happen, people differed about where the blame lies. Some blame the crowd itself for not maintaining an orderly queue while others blame the management.
These incidents bring to light the urgent need for a solution to this issue. Ganpati Bappa is hailed as the remover of all obstacles and He would not want His devotees to go through so many just to get to Him.
Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Visits Lalbaugcha Raja With AbRam For Ganesh Chaturthi; Seeks Bappa’s Blessings
Have you ever visited Lalbaugcha Raja Pandal? How was your experience? How do you feel these darshans can be made more egalitarian and democratic? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @simranbudharup/Instagram and @hvgoenka/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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