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Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal Challenges Human Rights Complaint Before SHRC
The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal is responding to a complaint before Maharashtra’s human-rights commission.
The complaint followed a video that allegedly showed devotees being mishandled.
The complainants also raised concerns about crowds, volunteer behaviour, possible assaults and thefts.
They asked the government to take over management of the festival.
The mandal said the commission cannot examine a broad complaint about rights in general.
It argued that complainants must identify a specific incident or pattern of violations.
The mandal also said the alleged violation must involve a public servant and fall within one year.
Advocate Ashish Rai said alleged misconduct toward devotees, especially women, was also central to the complaint.
The commission will hear the matter again on October 6.
The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal argued that the SHRC can consider only specific rights violations linked to public servants.
The mandal cited Sections 12(a) and 36(2) of the Protection of Human Rights Act in its reply.
Complainants alleged volunteer misconduct, indecent behaviour, crowd-management failures, assault and thefts after a video went viral.
Advocate Ashish Rai said the complaint also concerned alleged misconduct toward devotees, particularly women, and administrative accountability.
The Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission adjourned the matter until October 6 for further hearings.
- Who
- The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, complainants Ashish Rai and Pankajkumar Mishra, and the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission are involved.
- What
- The mandal challenged the SHRC complaint’s legal basis, while complainants alleged volunteer misconduct, crowd-management problems, assault and thefts.
- Where
- The proceedings are before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission in Mumbai.
- When
- The complaint was filed last year, and the next hearing is scheduled for October 6, 2026.
- Why
- The complaint followed an alleged viral video showing devotees being mishandled and raised concerns about rights violations and festival administration.
Complainants’ Position
Mandal’s Position
Nature of the complaint
Complainants’ Position
The complainants said the matter involved alleged misconduct and indecent behaviour by volunteers toward devotees, particularly women, as well as broader crowd-management and safety concerns.
Mandal’s Position
The mandal argued that a general grievance about erosion of fundamental rights is insufficient without a specific incident or identifiable pattern of violation.
Human-rights jurisdiction
Complainants’ Position
Advocate Ashish Rai said the issue raised concerns about protection of human rights and accountability by the administration.
Mandal’s Position
The mandal said the SHRC’s jurisdiction under Section 12(a) requires an alleged violation, or negligence in preventing one, attributable to a public servant.
Festival administration
Complainants’ Position
The complainants sought transfer of the festival’s administration and complete management to the state government and statutory authorities.
Mandal’s Position
The mandal’s reply focused on statutory limits and did not accept that the complaint, as framed, could be entertained by the commission.
Key facts
- Respondent
- Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
- Forum
- Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
- Complainants
- Advocates Ashish Rai and Pankajkumar Mishra
- Legal provision cited
- Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act
- Time limit cited
- Section 36(2), which bars inquiry into matters after one year from the alleged violation
- Allegations
- Volunteer misconduct, indecent behaviour, crowd-management concerns, alleged assault and thefts
- Next hearing
- October 6, 2026
Quotes
Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
The Ganeshotsav mandal responding to the SHRC complaint
“It must point to a specific incident or identifiable pattern of violation, attributable to a public servant, affecting some class of victims and within the one-year window.”
freepressjournal.in
Ashish Rai
Advocate and complainant before the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
“The issue of alleged misconduct and indecent behaviour by the Mandal’s volunteers towards devotees, particularly women devotees, was also seriously raised before the Commission. The Commission expressed strong concern regarding the protection of human rights and accountability of the administration.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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