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‘Aam Aadmi Pushed’: Viral Videos From Mumbai’s Lalbaug Cha Raja Ganesh Pandal Spark Debate On VIP Culture

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'Aam Aadmi Pushed': Viral Videos From Mumbai's Lalbaug Cha Raja Ganesh Pandal Spark Debate On VIP Culture

Visuals of Lalbaug Cha Raja, one of the most-visited Ganesh Pandals in Mumbai, are widely being circulated online. These include photos of daily darshan of Lalbaug Cha Raja, devotees visiting the pandal, footages of celebrities walking through the darshan lane. There are also drone shots or videos captured from top of buildings showing how the entire street in the area is lit up to mark Ganesh Utsav with an impressive festival spirit.

Of the many videos going viral online, there are few which record bouncers pushing general devotees touching the foot of Bappa in an act of trying to manage the crowd and stagnation.

Not one single video, but a couple of them show female bouncers pushing people soon after their Charan Sparsh is done. They aren’t allowed to stay there for minutes and pray to Bappa and are rather asked to leave the premises allowing others too to take the darshan. While this could be considered to be fair for making way for others by keeping the queue flowing, it sparked an outrage on social media after people compared it to how VIPs were treated at the pandal.

As seen in the video, one of the feet of Bappa was being touched by general public and the other was allegedly being worshipped by VIPs who weren’t pushed to leave the premises immediately. Even seconds after their darshan of Bappa and Charan Sparsh being done, those touching the other foot of Lalbaug Cha Raja, believed to be VIPs, were seen standing next to his foot and clicking pictures together. Videos showed how VIPs stood there for a while within which 5-6 devotees were already been pushed to leave from the other queue.

Netizens react

These visuals from the Ganpati Pandal raised questions on VIP culture and VIP darshan there. “Won’t be surprised if Lalbaugcha Raja Pandal is declared as VIP only in future,” said netizens while reacting to the videos going viral online from Lalbaug Cha Raja’s darshan. “Assign a separate day for VIP darshan only VIPs allowed and all the remaining days keep it open for all devotees irrespective of anything!! Hoping anyone listens,” people added while trying to understand that these important personalities may receive special darshan but others should not face mistreatment.

Netizens offered due respect to Lalbaug Cha Raja and his talked-about miracles, but they highlighted allegedly how the organisers failed to equally treat very devotee visiting the pandal. “Not sure if Lord Ganesha himself approves the behaviour of Lalbaug Cha raja mandal! In front of God you can’t treat ppl so differently,” they wrote.

Celebs at Lalbaug Cha Raja 2024

This year, several celebrities have visited the pandal already along with lakhs and lakhs of general public queueing up to seek a glimpse of Bappa. From politicians to cine stars, some of the popular personalities who recently took darshan of Lalabug Cha Raja are Amit Shah and his wife Sonal Shah, Uddhav Thackeray, Rashmi Thackeray, Raj Thackeray, Deepak Kesarkar, Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra, Vicky Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana, Shriya Pilgaonka, Bhuvan Bam, and more.

Crime

Palghar News: 31-Year-Old Woman Advocate Files Complaint Of Molestation During Auto Ride In Virar

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Palghar: A 31-year-old woman advocate from Virar has filed a police complaint alleging molestation and intimidation while traveling in an autorickshaw at Global City, Virar (West).

According to the FIR registered at Bolinj Police Station, the incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. on August 29 when the complainant, identified as Renuka Manoj Kumar Saraswat, was on her way from the Global City rickshaw stand to Virar railway station.

The complaint states that an unknown male passenger seated next to her touched her arm inappropriately and made objectionable remarks, calling her “baby” and asking her to hold his hand. The man then allegedly telephoned another person, identified as Advocate Yadav (full name and address unknown), who arrived at the spot.

The complainant further alleged that Advocate Yadav peeped into the autorickshaw and threatened her, saying, “I will tell you what molestation really means. Who is your senior?” He also allegedly abused her in foul language.

Police have booked the case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) – Sections 74, 79, 351(2), 352, and 3(5). No arrests have been made so far.

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Crime

NCB Attaches Properties Worth ₹2.36 Crore Of Ganja Smuggling Kingpin In Maharashtra

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Mumbai: The office of Competent Authority and Administrator under the SAFEMA & NDPS Act has confirmed the orders of attachment issued by NCB Mumbai concerning the movable & immovable properties worth Rs 2.36 Crores of a kingpin who was found involved in smuggling of Ganja.

The seized movable properties include three bank accounts & one Mahindra Thar and immovable properties include a piece of land at Uruli Kanchan, Taluka Haveli, Pune, Maharashtra.

The matter pertains to seizure of 111 Kgs of Ganja at Pathardi Road, Ahilyanagar by Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai leading to arrest of five individuals. The drug was found sourced from Andhra-Odisha Border area (AOB) and was destined to Pune, Maharashtra. In course of investigation, the kingpin & mastermind, operating this interstate drug syndicate from Pune had been arrested.

This case exemplifies NCB’s commitment to effectively identifying drug trafficking networks and disrupting their ecosystem by freezing assets acquired through money generated out of drug trafficking.

To fight against drug trafficking, NCB seeks support of the citizens. Any person can share information related to sale of narcotics by calling on MANAS- National Narcotics Helpline Toll Free Number-1933. The identity of the caller is kept confidential.

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Maharashtra

Maratha Reservation Protest Day 4: Agitators Throng Mumbai’s Marine Drive, Park Vehicles ‘Illegally’ On Promenade; Vehicular Traffic Blocked

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Mumbai: Mumbai’s daily life was thrown into turmoil on Monday as Maratha activists intensified their agitation for reservation in education and jobs. Protesters disrupted traffic at multiple points across South Mumbai, including Marine Drive, Mantralaya and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), forcing police and civic agencies to roll out emergency measures.

One of the most dramatic scenes unfolded at Marine Drive, where activists blocked the iconic seafront stretch by parking vehicles in violation of regulations. Protesters were also seen blocking roads and disrupting vehicular traffic. The move caused major disruption during peak hours and drew swift attention from authorities scrambling to ease the logjam.

Meanwhile, the security was tightened around key government establishments, with heightened focus on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ residence, Varsha, in Malabar Hill and the Mantralaya at Nariman Point. Amid fears that demonstrators might march toward the state secretariat, the Mantralaya was turned into a fortress.

Police erected a three-tier barricade system, sealing Madame Cama Road at both ends. Free Press Journal Marg, the arterial link between Vidhan Bhavan and Mantralaya, was shut to the public, while traffic was also suspended on General Jagannath Bhosle Road leading to the YB Chavan Centre. Only officials and staff were allowed entry as policemen stood guard at every point.

The ripple effect was visible at CSMT, one of Mumbai’s busiest railway hubs, where a huge crowd of protestors converged, choking access and creating gridlock during rush hour. Commuters faced long delays as railway authorities and police put contingency plans into action to maintain passenger flow and prevent overcrowding on platforms.

Adding to the congestion, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking announced diversions for several bus routes since morning. Buses that normally operated through Jagannath Bhosale Marg, D.N. Road, and Mahapalika Marg were rerouted via Sant Sewalal Chowk, Rambhau Salaskar Marg, and M.G. Road, though traffic snarls continued across the southern parts of the city.

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