Religious places today seem more focused on commerce than spirituality. Each religion has been commercialized and corrupted by our greed for wealth and fame. The issue isn’t just that the wealthy receive special treatment; it’s that middle- and lower-income individuals - those who pay the highest taxes - are blatantly mistreated while seeking the same blessings as the rich. Even though it’s understood that politicians and celebrities require security due to their public status, shouldn’t the way we pray be the same?
This isn’t limited to Hindus; it extends to all religions. Take Hajj, for example, where the pilgrimage is a monumental financial burden for many poor individuals who save for years, only to find that those with power receive preferential treatment.
It’s baffling that while politicians and celebrities require security due to their public status, shouldn’t we all be equal before God? Shouldn’t our prayers be treated with the same reverence?
The commercialization
In temples, ordinary devotees stand in long queues, treated like cattle, pushed aside for a fleeting moment of darshan while celebrities enjoy their VVIP treatment. They get to perform Aarti at their leisure and take aesthetic pictures without a care in the world. Meanwhile, arrangements are made to stall regular services for these VIPs, ensuring they have a smooth passage to seek blessings without the chaos of fanfare.
As highlighted in a viral video from the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati festival, which attracts over 1.5 million visitors daily, ordinary devotees are often shoved and manhandled while VIPs enjoy a hassle-free experience. Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Group, pointed out this disparity on social media, questioning why faith should be unequal for all.
The Madras High Court noted in 2022 that “people are frustrated with VIP culture... as devotees suffer due to special darshan for VIPs.” This sentiment echoes through society, revealing a growing resentment toward the unequal treatment experienced in sacred spaces.
A legacy of entitlement
We seem trapped in a historical cycle reminiscent of monarchies where kings were treated as divine. This ingrained mindset leads us to worship wealth and power. For these VVIPs, photography, and gadgets are allowed; they enjoy direct access without any hassle during darshan. In stark contrast, the common person is left waiting for hours, only to be granted mere seconds before being pushed away.
Blatant discrimination between devotees is now institutionalized through ‘special darshan’ and ‘VIP darshan’ queues and passes. Those who can afford it purchase their way into shorter lines while ordinary devotees stand for hours in caged queues.
The system has become so normal that even government officials exploit their positions for preferential treatment. For instance, two high court officials at Siddhi Vinayak Ganpati Temple managed to bypass long lines using their influence while ordinary devotees waited since the evening.
A missed opportunity to make it better
When the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony took place, it attracted significant attention but also highlighted ongoing injustices against Dalits and minorities. This event could have been a powerful moment for social change if leaders had included marginalized voices by simply inviting India’s first Adivasi President, which would have sent a strong message of respect for women and minority communities. But, unfortunately, Bollywood celebrities were the focus of the event.
The Indian disease of power and wealth
These incidents reveal an unsettling truth: entitlement is worn like a badge of honor by the privileged elite - be it a film star, a millionaire businessman, or a politician. They flaunt their status without remorse, often disrupting public life for their convenience. We witness this entitlement everywhere - from blocked roads because some star is crossing, airports where flights are delayed until they arrive to events where audiences wait endlessly for them.
In India, privilege is synonymous with money, influence, or connections. Politicians break traffic rules without fear of repercussions while citizens face penalties for minor infractions. In contrast, leaders in developed countries abide by the same laws as everyone else. There are stories of British prime ministers who uphold accountability even when their own family members are at fault.
Imagine an American president jogging alongside regular citizens without any fuss or disruption - a stark contrast to our reality where entitlement reigns supreme.
The Gandhian ideal of humility and equality seems lost in today’s political landscape. It’s time we confront this culture of privilege that permeates our spiritual spaces and society at large.
We must strive for true equality - where every individual is treated with respect and dignity regardless of their wealth or status. Only then can we reclaim the sanctity of our faith and ensure that spirituality transcends commerce and privilege.
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