The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has issued notices to top state and civic officials, including the secretary of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Maharashtra Chief Secretary, BMC Commissioner, and Mumbai Police Commissioner, following a complaint alleging discrimination and mistreatment of non-VIP devotees at the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal.
Taking cognisance of the complaint filed by activists Ashish Rai and Pankajkumar Mishra, the commission has sought responses and directed authorities to explore alternative crowd management measures to prevent human rights violations during Ganeshotsav.
The complaint alleges that while VIPs are granted privileged access for darshan, ordinary devotees, including pregnant women, children, and senior citizens, are subjected to harassment and neglect. It also raises concerns about inadequate crowd control in the narrow lanes leading to the pandal, warning of a potential stampede risk.
“Discrimination due to VIP darshan is also raised in the complaint, with the allegation of breach of fundamental rights of persons. Hence, the complaint deserves consideration,” the MSHRC observed in its order.
The complainants claimed that despite multiple reports of ill-treatment and chaotic conditions, no action was taken by the police or the state administration, forcing them to approach the human rights body.
The commission also noted that disturbing visuals regularly surface on social media during the festival, showing devotees, especially women, children, and senior citizens, being mishandled by volunteers and private guards deployed by the mandal.
“Unmanageable crowds are a routine issue, and incidents of devotees fainting, being manhandled, and having their clothes torn by mandal volunteers are circulating on social media,” the MSHRC said, questioning the continued reliance on “overenthusiastic” volunteers rather than trained personnel.
The commission has asked all concerned authorities to respond and consider measures that uphold the dignity and rights of all devotees, regardless of status.
Maharashtra: Fishermen’s body demands action against Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal over idol immersion mismanagement
A prominent fishermen`s organisation has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding criminal proceedings against the office-bearers of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal for alleged mismanagement during the Ganesh idol immersion and mistreatment of devotees.
In a letter emailed to the Chief Minister and police authorities, Devendra Tandel, president of the Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kruti Samiti, alleged that the immersion of Mumbai`s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja idol occurred during a lunar eclipse, which he claimed was a violation of religious sentiment caused by a severely delayed procession.
