Indian billionaire Harsh Goenka has sparked a debate on VIP culture at Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal during Ganesh Chaturthi. Sharing a video on social media, Goenka pointed out the stark contrast in treatment between ordinary devotees and VIPs. While common worshippers, some of whom wait in line for over 12 hours, were seen being shoved and rushed by security, a VIP family leisurely took pictures in front of the Ganesha idol without interference.
The video, which has gone viral, also shows devotees rushing inside the pandal as the gates briefly open, highlighting the chaos regular visitors face. Goenka’s post sheds light on the “unequal treatment” within the supposedly “sarvajanik” or public event, raising concerns about the growing influence of VIP culture in religious spaces where all devotees should ideally be treated equally.
