Vishwa Hindu Parishad criticizes filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri over religious comments

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has criticized filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri following his recent social media comments regarding Hinduism. The controversy stems from Agnihotri’s suggestion that people should not share knowledge about religion, specifically Hinduism, because “everyone is already intelligent.”

Agnihotri also commented on religious practices, referencing crowds at temples and suggesting that if the government taxed religion, India might become wealthier as people would shift their focus from waiting for divine miracles toward innovation, productivity, and progress. He characterized certain religious behaviors as being driven by superstition and a desire for miracles.

VHP national spokesperson Vinod Bansal responded by questioning Agnihotri’s motives, asking why the filmmaker does not apply similar critiques to superstitions or unscientific practices in other religions, such as those found in mosques, churches, or madrasas. Bansal also noted that Agnihotri’s assertion that no one needs to share religious knowledge applies equally to the film industry.