'I respect all religions', what did CJI Gavai say when there was controversy over his comment on the idol of Lord Vishnu?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Chief Justice BR Gavai's comments regarding a case involving the reconstruction of a statue of Lord Vishnu have sparked a social media uproar. The CJI has now stated that he respects all religions.

He said, "Someone told me yesterday that comments made by me have been circulated on social media. I respect all religions." A bench of the Chief Justice and Justice K Vinod Chandran on May 16 dismissed a plea seeking direction for reconstruction and re-installation of a seven-feet-tall idol of Lord Vishnu at the Jawari Temple, a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.

What did CJI Gavai say?

Terming the petition as a "publicity petition", the Chief Justice said, "This is purely a publicity petition... Go and ask the Lord himself to do something. If you are saying that you are an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you should pray and meditate a little."

The Chief Justice had said, “Meanwhile, if you are not opposed to Shaivism then you can go there and worship... There is a very big linga of Shiva there, the biggest in Khajuraho.”

Supreme Court refuses to entertain the petition

The bench had refused to entertain a petition filed by Rakesh Dalal seeking replacement and consecration of a damaged idol at the Jawari temple in Chhatarpur district. The Chief Justice's remarks prompted several critical posts on social media.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, "I have known the CJI for the last 10 years, this is also serious, we knew Newton's law that every action has an equal reaction... now every action has a disproportionate reaction on social media." The law officer said that the Chief Justice has visited all the religious places.

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