"Go And Ask The Deity”: Controversy Over CJI Gavai's Alleged Remarks In Khajuraho Lord Vishnu Idol Restoration Case

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai is facing criticism over alleged remarks while hearing a plea on restoring a damaged Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho’s Javari temple.

Several users on social media have raised issue with the alleged remarks, calling them insensitive.

The Supreme Court had declined to hear a plea seeking restoration of a beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at Khajuraho’s Javari temple in Madhya Pradesh, observing that the matter falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the NDTV reported.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih heard the petition, which sought repairs to a 7-foot idol housed in the UNESCO-listed temple complex.

“Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It's an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc. Sorry,” Chief Justice Gavai told the petitioner, NDTV reported.

Filed by Rakesh Dalal, the plea claimed the idol was damaged during Mughal invasions and has remained unrestored despite several appeals to authorities.

It cited the temples’ origin under the Chandravanshi kings and argued that years of colonial neglect followed by official apathy since Independence had left the statue in its mutilated state.

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The petitioner also alleged that the authorities’ failure to act infringed devotees’ fundamental right to worship, noting that repeated protests, memoranda, and campaigns demanding restoration had gone unanswered.

Advocate Vineet Jindal has urged Chief Justice of India B R Gavai to retract the alleged comments made during the hearing on the Khajuraho idol restoration plea.

Sharing his appeal on X, Jindal wrote, "Being a follower of Sanatan Dharma, I had sent a letter to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Justice B R Gavai, demanding the immediate withdrawal of his hurtful remarks against Lord Vishnu and Hindu sentiments."

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