VIP Culture Destroys the Sense of Equality Among People

Sanjay Saxena I Lucknow

The stampede on the day of Mauni Amavasya at the Maha Kumbh, which resulted in the death of thirty people, has raised questions about the VIP treatment given to certain individuals during such events. The question being asked is why there is discrimination among devotees at Hindu religious sites and events. The tragic incident that occurred on January 29, during the ritual bath on Mauni Amavasya, has reignited the debate over the VIP culture.

The question being raised is why, when there are no VIP privileges for devotees at Gurudwaras, mosques, or churches, is there a need for VIP darshan (viewing) only at temples? Shouldn’t this system be abolished, as it creates divisions among Hindus? Anyway, the Yogi government, learning from the Mauni Amavasya tragedy, has now imposed a ban on the VIP system. All VIP passes for the Maha Kumbh have also been cancelled.

It would have been better if this system had been abolished earlier. This was also necessary because India’s Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, had already raised questions on the VIP system at religious places on January 7. At that time, he might not have expected such a tragedy. He had said that the VIP system is against the principle of equality and should be completely abolished at religious sites. He emphasized that religious places are symbols of equality, where everyone stands equal before God. He also said that the concept of VIP darshan is against devotion. It is an example of inequality that must be immediately eradicated. Furthermore, he spoke about establishing equality at religious places.

During his address, Dhankhar mentioned that religious places should be seen as symbols of equality. When someone is granted special privileges, or given the status of VIP or VVIP, it is an insult to the idea of equality. He also referred to a religious site in Karnataka that sends a message of equality.

He further noted that in recent years, there has been a positive change in the infrastructure development of religious places. These developments, he added, are not merely physical improvements but are also crucial steps to strengthen our civilization and cultural values. The reality, however, is that in many temples, the staff and priests themselves engage in money collection and provide VIP services to devotees. These devotees are allowed direct access to the sanctum sanctorum, bypassing queues and temple protocol. Meanwhile, ordinary devotees are made to wait in long lines, while VIPs are granted immediate access to the sanctum. In large temples, there are systems where VIP passes or donations ensure special darshan, while ordinary devotees have to endure pushing and shoving. VIP devotees receive special prasads, seating, and blessings from priests, while regular devotees are told to move on after a quick glance at the deity.

When it comes to pilgrimage sites and Ganga baths, such as at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Haridwar, or Varanasi, ordinary devotees have to wait their turn, while VIPs are given special arrangements. While common people struggle in the crowd, special bathing arrangements, security, and facilities are provided for VIPs. Sometimes, ordinary devotees are even stopped for hours so that VIPs can bathe, causing chaos in the crowds. The real cause of the Maha Kumbh tragedy will only be known after a judicial inquiry, but the question remains: why is there a VIP bathing system at a place where millions of people gather? Why are the inconveniences of common devotees increased by such VIP arrangements? The agony of VIP bathing was also evident in the words of Maharaj Premanand Giri, who said that the administration was entirely focused on VIPs, leaving ordinary devotees to fend for themselves. He accused the entire administration of serving the VIPs, engaging in appeasement.

VIPs also have their devotion, and no one can deny that, but why should they receive special treatment at the cost of common people? If thousands of crores of rupees are spent, why not ensure that arrangements for VIPs do not cause inconvenience to ordinary devotees? Ordinary devotees walk 15-20 kilometers to bathe, while so-called VIPs arrive directly at the banks with a convoy of vehicles. This is bound to create resentment and frustration among common devotees. Just a day or two before the stampede, there were reports that many of the bamboo bridges were closed to ordinary devotees to allow so-called VIPs to display their status.

In fact, the scope of VIP culture is much broader. It is not limited to religious sites. From democracy to faith, certain individuals are granted special privileges on many occasions. The core principle of democracy states that all citizens are equal, yet in practice, some people become ‘special,’ whether they are on the road, in government offices, in hospitals, or in temples!

Similarly, for the security of high-ranking leaders and officials, traffic is often stopped, leaving the general public stuck in traffic for hours. Hospitals have VIP wards, while common patients cannot even get a bed. At airports and railway stations, VIP passengers enjoy special facilities, while ordinary people stand in long queues. VIP culture is a festering wound. This is why every government promises to end VIP culture, but in reality, new ways are found to maintain it. Discrimination at temples and pilgrimage sites should also come to an end because there can be no justification for VIP and ordinary person differentiation in the presence of God.

The most important thing is that as long as the public continues to accept this culture, VIP culture will never end. Change will come only when people understand their rights and demand equality, from devotion to democracy. Many religious places charge an additional fee of 400-500 rupees to allow quicker access to the deity, bringing devotees closer to the idol. This system is insensitive to ordinary devotees who cannot afford to pay the fee due to physical and financial barriers. It creates discrimination against devotees who are unable to pay, particularly those among the marginalized groups, such as women and the elderly, who face more difficulties.