Shilpa Shetty's Lalbaugcha Raja Visit Sparks Outrage: Did VVIP Treatment Trump Equality Before God? Hoặc VVIP Darshan for Shilpa Shetty at Lalbaugcha Raja Fuels Debate on Temple Privilege: 'Is God Not Equal for All?'

Shilpa Shetty’s recent visit to Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja has once again reignited the debate around VVIP culture at Ganeshotsav pandals. While the actress offered prayers with her trademark devotion, what caught the internet’s attention was the preferential treatment she received — a stark contrast to the struggles of ordinary devotees who wait for hours in queues only to get a fleeting glimpse of Bappa.In a video shared doing rounds on social media, Shilpa was seen in a traditional saree as she made her way inside with the help of security and volunteers. She offered dakshina at the donation box and received a flower from the deity’s feet as a token of blessings. After completing her darshan, the actress exited through the VVIP route, accompanied by volunteers and security personnel.The video soon sparked debate on social media, with many questioning the VVIP treatment extended to celebrities and politicians, while ordinary devotees waited for hours in long queues. One user wrote, 'Why are celebrities given so much importance when common people can’t even reach Bappa because of the rush? Isn’t God equal for all?'Another one added, 'The same volunteers who push and manhandle the public are now seen smiling and waving to her. So unfair.' A third user added, 'Lady guards who shove devotees are now politely escorting the celebrity. This is the difference."Some even went as far as saying, “Sorry, but Lalbaugcha Raja is only for celebrities, not the public.'Earlier in the time of Ganapati Puja, the internet had slammed the organisers for discriminating between VVIP celebs like Shilpa Shetty, who was given more than two minutes to darshan, even as hundreds of common folks were pushed and dragged with mere seconds to seek blessings.This isn’t the first time the internet has raised its voice against the practice. In past years too, viral videos have highlighted how VVIPs like Shilpa Shetty, Anil Kapoor and others were granted several minutes for darshan in peace, while ordinary devotees were hurried out within seconds.Back in 2023, one X (formerly Twitter) user had shared a video showing Shetty performing puja in calm and comfort in the VVIP row while common people were dragged and jostled.The X user wrote, “One foot of Ganesha, reserved for VVIP Shilpa Shetty for 2.20 min while 220 other devotees are pushed, dragged so that they don’t spend more than a second on the another foot." He also added, “VVIP culture in temples should be called out in every way. YouTube channel of Lalbaugcha Raja of Mumbai is full of such videos. You can see how VVIPs are treated and how common devotees are treated in the same video. Aren’t all equal before god? Privilege hai ki jaati nahi."He further wrote in the comment, “Batao do pairon ke beech mein deewar bana di darm ka dandha karne waalon ne. Ek pair VVIP logon ke liye aur ek pair aam public ke liye.Another user had described the situation as 'Bhakti ka bazaar' while one more added, 'Lalbaugcha Raja will only bless people with heavy bank balances, not EMI-paying working-class devotees.'