Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai recently affirmed his strong belief in secularism, addressing a wave of social media criticism that followed remarks he made during a case involving the reconstruction of a Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho’s historic Javari temple.
His commitment to upholding all religions was echoed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who expressed concern over how easily social media can distort comments by taking them out of their original context. Veteran lawyer Kapil Sibal also weighed in, describing social media as an “unruly horse” due to its unpredictable and often misleading nature.
The controversy stemmed from a Supreme Court bench, led by CJI Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, which had, on May 16, dismissed a petition seeking specific directives for the reconstruction and reinstallation of a seven-foot Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple. This temple is an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex in Madhya Pradesh.
During the hearing, the Chief Justice characterized the petition as a “publicity interest litigation.” He reportedly advised the petitioner, Rakesh Dalal, who sought the idol’s replacement and consecration, to instead “pray and do some meditation” if he was truly a devout follower of Lord Vishnu. He further suggested that if the petitioner was open to other faiths, he could consider worshipping at the “very big linga of Shiva” found elsewhere in Khajuraho. The bench ultimately refused to entertain Dalal’s plea.