Archive · 8 Oct 2026
VHP Seeks Apology From Agnihotri Over ‘Tax Religion’ Remark
Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri shared a video of a large crowd visiting Kainchi Dham.
He wrote that if the government taxed religion, people might focus more on ideas, work and becoming successful themselves.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad, or VHP, disagreed with his remarks.
Its spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, said pilgrimages are important to culture and community life, and also support local economies.
Bansal objected to the suggestion that pilgrims are waiting for miracles.
He also noted that the film industry seeks tax exemptions.
He asked Agnihotri to take back his statement and apologise.
Bansal also wondered whether the comments were connected to promoting a new film.
Vivek Agnihotri reposted on X footage of crowds visiting Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand on October 4.
Agnihotri wrote that taxing religion could lead people to leave religion and focus on innovation, progress, productivity and ideas.
VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal criticised the remarks for contrasting religion with innovation and describing pilgrimage as waiting for miracles.
Bansal said pilgrimage sites are connected to India’s civilisation, culture, social life and local economies.
Bansal asked Agnihotri to withdraw the statement and apologise, and questioned whether it was linked to promoting a new film.
- Who
- Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal.
- What
- Bansal asked Agnihotri to withdraw his remarks about taxing religion and apologise.
- When
- The VHP made its request on Wednesday; Agnihotri reposted footage showing a crowd on October 4.
- Where
- The footage showed Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand; Agnihotri posted it on X.
- Why
- Bansal said the remarks unfairly contrasted religion with progress and disparaged Hindu pilgrimages.
VHP's criticism
Agnihotri's stated view
Religion and progress
VHP's criticism
Bansal said Agnihotri wrongly pitted religion against innovation and productivity and characterised pilgrims as waiting for miracles.
Agnihotri's stated view
Agnihotri argued that if religion were taxed, people might focus on innovation, progress, productivity and ideas rather than waiting for miracles.
Pilgrimage sites
VHP's criticism
Bansal said pilgrimage sites are closely connected with civilisation, culture, social life and local economies.
Agnihotri's stated view
Agnihotri's post used footage of a crowded pilgrimage site while making his argument about religion and people pursuing success themselves.
- Filmmaker
- Vivek Agnihotri.
- Responding organisation
- The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP).
- VHP spokesperson
- Vinod Bansal.
- Pilgrimage site
- Kainchi Dham, Uttarakhand.
- Platform
- X.
- Agnihotri's argument
- He said taxing religion could prompt people to focus on innovation, progress, productivity and ideas.
- VHP's request
- Bansal asked Agnihotri to withdraw his statement and apologise.
