A formal complaint has been filed with the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) against the discriminatory VIP darshan system and mismanagement at Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav. The complainants have urged the SHRC to ensure equal treatment for all devotees and establish a proper system for respectful and safe darshan.

Known for attracting millions of devotees every year, Lalbaugcha Raja is also infamous for overcrowding and lack of proper arrangements. The issue escalated after two Mumbai residents, Advocate Ashish Rai and Pankajkumar Mishra, lodged a complaint alleging negligence in constitutional security arrangements and accusing the state administration, police officials, and pandal management of irresponsibility.

According to the complaint, while common devotees stand in queues for 24–48 hours without basic facilities, VIPs receive special privileges, stopping for longer periods near the idol and clicking photographs.

The complainants also alleged that general devotees are forcibly pushed away, hurting their religious sentiments, and in some cases, volunteers have abused and assaulted them. The petition highlighted the inhumane treatment of children, women, senior citizens, and specially-abled devotees, warning of the risk of stampedes due to poor crowd control.

The complainants claimed that the Mumbai Police Commissioner had been informed twice earlier about these issues, but no corrective measures were taken. They demanded strict action to abolish discriminatory VIP systems and sought equal security arrangements for all, along with complaint facilities against abusive behavior by pandal staff.

Advocate Ashish Rai stated, “For years, we have raised concerns about the mistreatment of common devotees and the theft of valuables during darshan, while VIPs receive special privileges. With no response from authorities, we have approached the SHRC for justice.”