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The Supreme Court dismissed a plea to restore Lord Vishnu’s idol at Javari temple, Khajuraho, stating it is under Archaeological Survey of India jurisdiction.
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition seeking restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple (X)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain a petition seeking restoration of a seven-foot dilapidated idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple, part of the Khajuraho group of monuments in Madhya Pradesh.
Terming the petition as a “publicity interest litigation”, a bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih said that the matter fell within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and not the Court, Bar&Bench reported.
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“Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc. Sorry,” CJI Gavai told the petitioner .
The petition filed by one Rakesh Dalal claimed that the idol was mutilated during Mughal invasions and has remained in that state despite repeated representations to the government to restore it.
The petitioner argued that the refusal to restore the idol violated devotees’ fundamental right to worship. The petition highlighted the protests, memoranda and campaigns in relation to the temple that went unanswered.
The bench said the issue squarely fell under the jurisdiction 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 said.
The CJI added, “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.”
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
September 16, 2025, 19:25 IST
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