“Go and ask the deity itself to do something now,” Remarks SC Against Plea to Repair Khajuraho Idol

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Rakesh Dalal filed a petition at the Supreme Court to restore the beheaded statue of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple. This temple is part of the larger group of monuments called Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. The petitioner said that the idol was destroyed during the Mughal invasions, and despite repeated attempts to restore it, no action was taken.


What did the Supreme Court Say?

The Supreme Court has refused this petition from Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George said that the matter was out of their authority as these decisions are under the control of the Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

The court said, “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.”

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The petitioners, after being ignored by the Supreme Court, argued that refusing to restore the beheaded idol is against the fundamental right to worship. They also shared how their protests and campaigns were ignored in the petition.


The History of Khajuraho Temples

The Khajuraho group of monuments incorporates a group of both Digambara Jain and Hindu temples and is located in the Chhatarpur district of Madhya Pradesh. They were first constructed by the Chandravanshi Kings. These temples are widely praised for their Nagara-style architectural design and some erotic sculptures.

Historians have confirmed that there were about 85 temples spread across 25 square kilometers. However, today, their numbers have shrunk down to only 25, spanning over 6 square kilometers. Though these temples were built together, they are dedicated to the Hindu and Jain religions, displaying respect and admiration for religious diversity.

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This site became part of the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1986 for its marvellous architecture and the diversity and uniqueness of the temples.

To put it in a few words, the petition filed by Rakesh Dalal has been denied by the Supreme Court (SC). The court cited the reason that the Khajuraho monuments belong to the Archeological Survey of India, so there’s very little they can do about restoring the Lord Vishnu idol. However, the petitioners did not accept the decision and argued that it violates their fundamental right to worship.