The Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, clarified on Thursday that he holds all religions in respect, and emphasised that his comments regarding the Khajuraho group of monuments in Madhya Pradesh, made during a court hearing, had been misrepresented on social media. “Someone told me the other day that the comments I made were misportrayed on social media,” the CJI stated.

“I respect all religions,” he added.

Several users on X (formerly Twitter) had criticised the remarks made by the CJI, some even going to the extent of calling for his impeachment. His statement to the petitioner, “ Go and ask the deity to do something” was viewed as “mocking Lord Vishnu” and “hatred toward Hindu faith”. Another user asked, “Would CJI Gavai have told any Muslim petitioner to go and ask Allah to restore a mosque?”

SC judge Vineet Jindal posted on his X handle regarding a letter he had sent to the CJI as well as the President of India, “demanding immediate withdrawal of his hurtful remarks against Lord Vishnu and Hindu sentiments.”

On September 16, the Supreme Court had dismissed a petition seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.

Rejecting the petition, the court had described it as “publicity interest litigation.” “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 had remarked.