Vice President Calls for End to VIP Culture at Religious Places

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly advocated for the abolition of VIP culture, particularly in temples, asserting that the very concept of VIP darshan (viewing of the deity) goes against the essence of divinity.
He emphasized that religious places should be symbols of equality, where all individuals, regardless of their status, should stand on the same footing before the divine.
Addressing a gathering at the Shri Manjunath Temple, Dhankhar launched the country's largest 'Queue Complex' or waiting area, named 'Shri Sanidhya'. He took the opportunity to call on citizens to rise above divisive politics and join hands in helping the nation achieve its vision of becoming a developed India by 2047.
VIP Culture: A Threat to Equality
Dhankhar explained that providing preferential treatment or labeling individuals as VIPs or VVIPs undermines the concept of equality. He stated, "When we give someone priority or a special status, we are diminishing the very idea of equality. VIP culture is a form of deviation. It is an encroachment, and from an equality standpoint, it should have no place in society—especially in religious places."
He further added that religious sites should embody equality, where everyone is treated the same, and no one should feel more important than others. The notion of VIP darshan, which gives certain individuals or groups special privileges, he argued, contradicts the core values of devotion and equality inherent in religious practice.
A New Vision for Politics and Society
During his address, Dhankhar criticized the current political climate, which he described as being driven by forces that disrupt democratic values and principles. He likened the political changes in India to a "dangerous shift," more perilous than climate change, warning that these forces—fueled by anti-democratic powers—were attempting to weaken the nation through division and misinformation.
He said, "We must neutralize anti-national forces that are trying to weaken us by sowing division and spreading falsehoods. We need to protect the dignity of our nation's name and the achievements we've made towards inclusivity, welfare, and strengthening our democracy."
Promoting Unity and Development
Dhankhar stressed the importance of unity, urging people to rise above divisive tendencies and focus on building a united, focused, and development-oriented India. He highlighted that India's society is not built on materialism and urged the corporate sector to step up and contribute to public welfare.
He suggested that CSR funds be used to enhance health and education, areas crucial for national progress. In his address, Dhankhar also proposed five guiding principles for modern India, referred to as the ‘Panch Pran’ (Five Pledges), aimed at creating a vibrant and inclusive democracy. These principles focused on social harmony, environmental protection, and the strengthening of fundamental rights for every citizen.
A Call for Responsibility
The Vice President also stressed the importance of linking fundamental rights with fundamental duties, stating that, "We must place the country's interests above our personal gains." He emphasized that national service should be viewed as a higher calling than personal aspirations.
Visit to Shri Manjunath Temple and New Initiatives
During his visit to the Shri Manjunath Temple in Karnataka, Dhankhar, accompanied by his wife Sudesh Dhankhar, took part in a religious ceremony and offered prayers to Lord Manjunath Swamy, a form of Shiva.
He also praised the temple's management for providing modern amenities to pilgrims through the newly inaugurated 'Shri Sanidhya' waiting complex. The complex, which spans an area of 2,75,177 square feet, includes 16 halls that can accommodate 600 to 800 devotees each, with the overall capacity of serving between 10,000 to 12,000 devotees at a time.
In addition to his religious engagements, Dhankhar launched a scholarship program for rural students, called the ‘Jnan Deep Project’, under the Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP).