Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday explained that his words about the reinstatement of a Lord Vishnu statue at Khajuraho have been taken out of context on social media.
"Someone told me the other day that the comments I made have been portrayed in social media in a certain manner...I respect all religions," the Chief Justice of India said.
The comments were initially made on Tuesday in rejecting a petition requesting instructions to rebuild and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Gavai declined to hear the plea made by Rakesh Dalal, who had requested the replacement and consecration of the idol damaged in the Javari Temple in Chhatarpur district.
"This is purely publicity interest litigation. Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation," the CJI said.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, observing that the issue squarely falls within the domain of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
"It's an archaeological find, whether ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not. There are various issues," CJI said.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing in front of the bench, pointed out his ten-year-long familiarity with CJI Gavai and confirmed that the Chief Justice had himself visited all the religious places.
Referring to the incident as one of concern, SG Mehta said, "We used to know Newton's Law- every action has an equal reaction, now every action has disproportionate social media reaction."
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who was also standing before the bench, chimed in, "We suffer every day, it's (social media) an unruly horse and there is no way to tame it."
Having reaffirmed his regard for all faiths, CJI Gavai compared it with a similar case in Nepal, stating, "In Nepal also, it happened that way," to show how controversies get blown up on social media.
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