Faced with protests, the Income Tax department has decided to withdraw a television advertisement which was seen as projecting the Gupta community as tax evaders.

The department has taken the step after protests by individuals and organisations affiliated to the community.

According to sources, the department had prepared an audio-visual advertisement where an onscreen character called Guptaji was advised not to get into trouble with the I-T department and regularly pay his taxes.

"It was decided to take the advertisement off air after the community made a representation to the department and the Central Board of Direct Taxes urging that they are efficient tax payers and the advertisement does not show them in good light and is disrespectful to them," a senior I-T

officer said.

Their sentiments have been respected, the officer said.

The I-T department, which has a huge budget to prepare and release tax awareness and enforcement advertisements through various arms of the media, has prepared a host of other such clips asking people to pay their taxes on time and be honest taxpayers.