The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea seeking directions for the reconstruction and reinstallation of a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple in the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex, Madhya Pradesh, terming it a “publicity interest litigation.”
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran declined to entertain the petition filed by Rakesh Dalal, who sought replacement and consecration of the damaged idol at 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 that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation,” CJI Gavai remarked.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the idol’s head was in a dilapidated condition and urged judicial intervention. However, the bench made it clear that the matter fell within the domain of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
“It’s an archaeological find, whether the ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not… there are various issues,” the CJI observed.
The court further quipped that devotees were not restricted from worship, adding humorously, “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.”
Dalal had urged the court to direct the central government and the ASI to allow reconstruction or replacement of the idol, claiming several representations to the Home Ministry and the ASI had gone unanswered.
The bench, however, found no merit in the plea and dismissed it, reiterating that such decisions are a matter for archaeological authorities rather than judicial intervention.
