A daughter shared a heartbreaking story about her family being charged ₹805 for using a hotel washroom for just six minutes near the Khatu Shyam temple. They couldn't find any proper bathroom facilities within a 1 km radius. The Khatu Shyam temple, located in Khatu village near Sikar, Rajasthan, is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Khatu Shyam, who is believed to be Barbarika from the Mahabharata. Millions of devotees visit the temple each year.

The daughter was visiting the temple with her family because it was her mother's long-time wish to seek blessings. She said that her family preferred the "normal darshan process" because her mother believes that "Bhagwan k darwaze par kya VIP? Sab ek hain" (At God's door, is there VIP treatment? We are all equal).

About the incident

She shared that while they were waiting near the temple, her mother suddenly started feeling very sick with nausea, stomach pain, and an urge to vomit. “Papa looked around desperately for a washroom while we were trying to comfort Maa. But there was nothing nearby. No proper washroom in about a 1 km area. There were a few public bathing spots, but no usable toilets. She was in so much pain, she could hardly stand,” the daughter said.

The woman shared on LinkedIn that when they found a hotel nearby, she asked the person at the reception that their hotel was 7 km away, and this was an emergency - "a matter of basic human dignity." But even after seeing her mother's condition, the hotel staff said, “₹800 to use the restroom.” She added, “He waited for the payment first. Yes, he said, ‘Pehle aap pay kar dijiye’ (Please pay first).” The staff didn’t show any flexibility, and since they had no other choice, the family ended up paying.

She said what hurt the most wasn’t the money they paid, but the fact that “someone saw suffering” and still chose to take advantage of it. “Are we progressing as humans? Or are we just losing our soul on the way?” she questioned. “How can someone see a woman in pain and still put a price on basic humanity? What have we become?”