"I Respect All Religions" : CJI Gavai Reacts To Social Media Row Over His Comments In Vishnu Idol Case

Responding to the controversy sparked by his observations while dismissing a petition seeking reconstruction of a dilapidated Lord Vishnu Idol at a temple in Khajuraho, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said today that he respected all religions.

The CJI clarified that his comments were made in the context of the fact that the temple was under the jurisdiction of the ASI.

The bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justices MM Sundresh and K Vinod Chandran was hearing the issue of large-scale illegal iron ore mining in Karnataka that led to severe environmental damage. 

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union, mentioned how few articles were published by the media about previous hearings, stating that the Union counsels were not present. 

The CJI expressed that it was concerning to see things being portrayed wrongly on social media. Referring to his recent remarks in a petition seeking directions for the reconstruction of a dilapidated 7 feet tall Vishnu Idol,  He said : 

"On social media, nowadays it can be anything. Day before yesterday, I was told by somebody - you have said something dismissive" 

"I believe in all the religions, I respect all the (religions)",  he added. 

The SG  weighed in to add, "I know the CJI for the last 10 years, my lord visits temples and places of all religions with reverence." 

The CJI clarified that the comments were made in the context of the temple's supervision coming under the ASI. He stated: 

"We said it in the context of ASI ....I had also advised Mr Nuli that there is also the Shiva Temple in Khajuraho, one of the biggest Lingas" 

Justice K Vinodchandran also weighed in to mention how his recusal in the PIL against alleged financial irregularities in Vedanta Group was perceived out of context. 

He said that the recusal was due to his being previously a Partner in the law firm, which was appearing for the respondent SEBI, but it was misconceived as he having some stakes in the Vendanta Company. 

He expressed, "Last week, there was a PIL filed, for respondents, K J John Company had appeared, so I avoided KJ John Company. People called me and asked me- Do you have holdings in Vendanta?" 

On a lighter note, the SG opined that Newton's Law also failed before the virality on social media. 

"This is serious also, we used to know Newton's law- every action has an equal reaction, now every action has a disproportionate social media reaction." 

Sr Advocate Kapil Sibal added, " We suffer every day....it's an unruly horse, there is no way to tame it." 

Highlighting how social media could go out of hand, the CJI referred to the violent protests that erupted recently in Nepal. 

He said, "In Nepal, also, it happened that way." 

On September 16, while dismissing a PIL seeking the reconstruction of the idol, CJI said that the petitioner can pray to the deity for the relief. Certain sections of social media responded sharply to the comments.