The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has taken exception to remarks by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai during the hearing of a petition concerning the restoration of a damaged Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho, urging that comments which appear to mock Hindu beliefs be avoided.
The controversy stems from a bench headed by the CJI dismissing the plea as “publicity interest litigation” earlier this week. The petitioner, Rakesh Dalal, had sought directions for the replacement and consecration of the idol at the Javari Temple in Chhatarpur district, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex.
“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,” the CJI remarked while rejecting the plea. The bench observed that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Reacting to the observation, VHP national president Alok Kumar issued a statement on Thursday. “We feel that the Chief Justice's oral remark has mocked the beliefs of Hindu religion. It would be better to avoid such remarks,” he said. He added that courts are “temples of justice” in which Indian society has deep trust.
Also read: CJI clarifies remarks on Khajuraho, says he respects all faiths
“It is our duty that this trust not only remains intact but also grows stronger,” Kumar said, stressing that restraint in comments was expected of “litigants, lawyers and equally the judges”.
Responding to the criticism that surfaced online, Chief Justice Gavai clarified on Thursday that his words had been taken out of context. “Someone told me the other day that the comments I made have been portrayed in social media... I respect all religions,” he said.
The bench had also suggested that the petitioner could worship at the Shiva temple within the Khajuraho complex, pointing out, “In the meantime, if you are not averse to Shaivism, you can go and worship there... there is a very big linga of Shiva, one of the biggest in Khajuraho.”
While the court directed attention to the ASI’s authority on archaeological sites, the episode has sparked a debate on judicial remarks and sensitivities surrounding matters of faith.
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