Mocking of a Vishnu Bhakt was in Bad Taste

An obiter dicta remark by the Chief Justice of India, while dismissing the Public Interest Petition of a devotee of Lord Vishnu, was entirely unnecessary, although it was exaggerated beyond proportion. This highlights the importance of carefully considering every statement made by those in power or authority, as damage is often done before clarifications are issued. It is worth noting that the Chief Justice quickly expressed respect for all religions.

Recently, a bench comprising the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed a plea seeking orders to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. Describing the plea as a Publicity Interest Litigation, the CJI advised the petitioner to ask the deity directly for assistance. If you claim to be a devout follower of Lord Vishnu, then you should straightaway pray and meditate to Him.

However, a person seeking justice from the court cannot be told to pray or meditate for relief. The CJI added, ‘In the meantime, if you are not averse to Shaivism, you can worship there; there is a very large linga of Shiva, one of the biggest in Khajuraho.’ Justice Gavai. It appears to have overlooked the fact that there is a significant difference between a Shaivite and a Vaishnav, even though both are part of the larger Hindu religion.

In the age of social media, where every word spoken by influential figures spreads rapidly, a person holding the high post of CJI cannot afford to be so casual or careless as to offend the sensitivities of millions.