Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, on Thursday, came out with a clarification, saying he respects all religions after social media criticism of his comments on a case regarding the reconstruction of a Lord Vishnu idol.
On Tuesday, a bench comprising the CJI Gavi and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, refused to entertain the plea filed by one Rakesh Dalal, seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
The CJI had termed the plea a publicity interest litigation and asked the petitioner to "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."
"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," he had added.
The remarks by the CJI had sparked an outcry on social media, with various Hindu organisations claiming that he mocked their beliefs. Some of them had even sought his impeachment.
He had also faced pressure from advocates who requested him to withdraw his statement.
"I hope the Supreme Court and the President will treat this matter with seriousness and ensure that the dignity of every faith is preserved," one such letter stated.
In his clarification, the CJI said he respects all religions. “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,” he was quoted as saying.
Senior advocate Sanjay Nul, who appeared for the petitioner in Khajuraho matter, expressed serious concerns over the wrong social media posts, clarifying the CJI never said what was wrongly attributed to him.