Chief Justice BR Gavai issued a clarification on Thursday amid outrage over his recent comments about reconstruction of a Lord Vishnu idol. The CJI said he ‘respected all religions’ and insisted that he was being misquoted on social media. Controversy had erupted earlier this week as a Supreme Court bench dismissed a plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol at the Javari Temple in Khajuraho.
‘I respect all religions’
“On social media, nowadays it can be anything. Day before yesterday, I was told by somebody – you have said something dismissive. I believe in all the religions, I respect all the (religions)…We said it in the context of ASI”, he said.
The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh — managed and protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The Supreme Court cannot unilaterally deliver orders permitting alteration of a historical or archaeological site. The apex court had dismissed the petition and stressed that the issue fell squarely within ASI jurisdiction. Chief Justice Gavai also described the petition as “publicity interest litigation”.
The relatively small temple was built between approximately 1075 and 1100 CE during the Chandela dynasty. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and currently houses a broken idol in the sanctum.
What is the controversy?
The Chief Justice had sparked outrage after suggesting that the petitioners should “go and ask the deity himself to do something”. The comment was perceived as hurtful and ‘insensitive’ by many online and inflamed religious sentiments. A bench headed by the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran refused to entertain the plea filed by Rakesh Dalal seeking reconstruction.
“This is purely publicity interest litigation… Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation…“It’s an archaeological find, whether the ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not… there are various issues,” the CJI said.
Justice Gavai had also suggested that the petitioner could go and worship at a massive Shivalinga on the Khajuraho premises “in the meantime” if he was not averse to Shaivism. The petition filed by Dalal had argued that several representations had been made to the central home ministry and the ASI.
(With inputs from agencies)