Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Thursday issued a clarification that he respects and believes in all religions, after a set of oral remarks he had recently made during a court hearing triggered sharp reactions on social media.
The controversy stemmed from a plea before the Supreme Court seeking the restoration of a broken idol of Lord Vishnu in the famous Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. While hearing the petition earlier this week, CJI Gavai had made certain observations which, once reported online, drew mixed interpretations and criticism in some quarters.
Responding to the reactions, the Chief Justice stressed that his statement had not been about religion per se but about the fact that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the statutory authority responsible for maintaining and preserving protected monuments such as Khajuraho. “It was within the ASI’s jurisdiction, and my reference was in that context,” he explained.
Reiterating his impartial stance, Justice Gavai affirmed, “I believe in all religions, and I respect all religions.” He said his position as the head of the judiciary obligated him to uphold equality and respect for every faith while steering clear of controversies around belief.
Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is globally renowned for its medieval temples and intricate sculptures representing both the spiritual and the artistic traditions of Indian culture. The petition concerning the Vishnu idol had emphasized its religious and cultural value, sparking emotions among devotees.
By clarifying his remarks, CJI Gavai sought to calm any misconceptions and underline that the issue at hand is essentially rooted in conservation and heritage law, not in any personal view of faith. His statement highlighted the judiciary’s sensitivity to the secular and plural ethos of the Constitution, ensuring public confidence in the court’s impartiality.