Go and Pray : Supreme Court Shuts Down Plea for Khajuraho Idol, Calls It a Publicity Stunt

In a firm and clear decision, India's Supreme Court has dismissed a petition that sought the restoration of a damaged, seven-foot-tall idol of Lord Vishnu at the historic Javari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The court didn't mince words, labeling the plea as a "publicity interest litigation" rather than a genuine public interest matter.The petition, brought forward by Rakesh Dalal, argued that the idol, which was beheaded centuries ago, should be restored. The plea claimed that leaving the idol in its damaged state was an infringement on the fundamental right to worship for devotees. It detailed a history of unanswered appeals to the government to repair the statue, which has been in this condition since the Mughal eraHowever, the bench, led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, was not convinced. The court's primary reason for refusal was straightforward: the issue is not for the court to decide The Khajuraho group of monuments is a UNESCO World Heritage site, protected and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The Chief Justice pointed out that any repairs or alterations to such an archaeological find would fall under the ASI's jurisdiction and its specific conservation rulesThe ASI's policy is generally not to begin or revive worship at monuments that were not active places of worship when they came under its protection. Altering a centuries-old statue is a complex conservation issue, not a simple matter of repair.Beyond the jurisdictional boundaries, the court also questioned the motive behind the petition. Chief Justice Gavai bluntly termed it “purely publicity interest litigation.” In a striking moment, he addressed the petitioner directly, stating, "If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation. Go and ask the deity itself to do something now.The court effectively ruled that while religious sentiments are important, they cannot override the established laws and procedures governing the preservation of the nation's historical and archaeological treasures. The message was clear: matters of faith must respect the domain of law and conservation. For now, the ancient idol at Khajuraho will remain as it has for centuries, a silent testament to its long and storied history.