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Supreme Court dismisses petition for reconstruction of Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho's Jawari temple
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed for the reconstruction and restoration of the damaged seven-foot-tall idol of Lord Vishnu in the Jawari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The court refused to interfere in the matter, saying that the petition was a 'Publicity Interest Litigation'. Addressing the petitioner, Chief Justice B. R. Gavai said, "Now go and ask Lord Vishnu himself to do something."
Petition Details
The petition was filed by Rakesh Dalal. He claimed that the idol in the Jawari temple in Khajuraho was destroyed during the Mughal invasion and has been in a dilapidated condition for the past several centuries. In the petition, they argued that the reconstruction and restoration of the idol was necessary not only from an archaeological point of view but also from the point of view of the faith of Hindu devotees and the sanctity of the temple. The petition mentioned that despite repeated requests to the government, no action had been taken.
Supreme Court verdict
A bench of Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, while dismissing the petition, clarified that the Khajuraho temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court said that the matter falls within the purview of the ASI and the court cannot interfere in it. “This is an archaeological site, so permission from the ASI is required,” the bench noted.
Addressing the petitioner, the judge further said, “If you are a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, go and pray.” The comment hurt the sentiments of the petitioner, who called the verdict an insult to Hindu sentiments.
Petitioner's side
The petition was filed by Rakesh Dalal through senior advocate Sanjay M. Nuli. He argued that the condition of the idol is not only archaeological but also related to the religious sentiments and right to worship of Hindu devotees. The petition mentioned that the Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandravanshi dynasty and the repairs of the idol have been neglected during the British rule after the Mughal invasion and even after independence.
Social reaction
The court's comment and verdict have drawn strong reactions on social media, especially on X. Some have called the Chief Justice's comment to "go and tell God" insulting Hindu sentiments and 'Hinduphobic'. Many argued in support of the petitioner that this demand is part of religious faith and cultural heritage. Some compared it to other religious cases, such as the sensitivity shown by the court in the Waqf Act case, and alleged that the court's approach was disproportionate.
On the other hand, some have supported the court's decision, saying that the management of archaeological sites falls under the purview of the ASI and that the court has taken the right decision.
History of Khajuraho Temples
The Khajuraho temple complex, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was built by the Chandela dynasty between the 10th and 12th centuries. The temples are characterized by their exquisite sculpture and architecture. The Jawari Temple is an important temple in the complex, dedicated to the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. History records that many of the temples were damaged during the Mughal invasions, especially in 1202 when Qutubuddin Aibak's general Iltutmish invaded Bundelkhand.
Role of ASI
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the maintenance and protection of the Khajuraho temple complex. The petition claimed that repeated requests were made to the ASI for the repair of the idol, but no action was taken. The Supreme Court in its judgment emphasised the jurisdiction of the ASI and asked the petitioner to approach them again.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed for the reconstruction and restoration of the damaged seven-foot-tall idol of Lord Vishnu in the Jawari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The court refused to interfere in the matter, saying that the petition was a 'Publicity Interest Litigation'. Addressing the petitioner, Chief Justice B. R. Gavai said, "Now go and ask Lord Vishnu himself to do something."
Petition Details
The petition was filed by Rakesh Dalal. He claimed that the idol in the Jawari temple in Khajuraho was destroyed during the Mughal invasion and has been in a dilapidated condition for the past several centuries. In the petition, they argued that the reconstruction and restoration of the idol was necessary not only from an archaeological point of view but also from the point of view of the faith of Hindu devotees and the sanctity of the temple. The petition mentioned that despite repeated requests to the government, no action had been taken.
Supreme Court verdict
A bench of Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, while dismissing the petition, clarified that the Khajuraho temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court said that the matter falls within the purview of the ASI and the court cannot interfere in it. “This is an archaeological site, so permission from the ASI is required,” the bench noted.
Addressing the petitioner, the judge further said, “If you are a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, go and pray.” The comment hurt the sentiments of the petitioner, who called the verdict an insult to Hindu sentiments.
Petitioner's side
The petition was filed by Rakesh Dalal through senior advocate Sanjay M. Nuli. He argued that the condition of the idol is not only archaeological but also related to the religious sentiments and right to worship of Hindu devotees. The petition mentioned that the Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandravanshi dynasty and the repairs of the idol have been neglected during the British rule after the Mughal invasion and even after independence.
Social reaction
The court's comment and verdict have drawn strong reactions on social media, especially on X. Some have called the Chief Justice's comment to "go and tell God" insulting Hindu sentiments and 'Hinduphobic'. Many argued in support of the petitioner that this demand is part of religious faith and cultural heritage. Some compared it to other religious cases, such as the sensitivity shown by the court in the Waqf Act case, and alleged that the court's approach was disproportionate.
On the other hand, some have supported the court's decision, saying that the management of archaeological sites falls under the purview of the ASI and that the court has taken the right decision.
History of Khajuraho Temples
The Khajuraho temple complex, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was built by the Chandela dynasty between the 10th and 12th centuries. The temples are characterized by their exquisite sculpture and architecture. The Jawari Temple is an important temple in the complex, dedicated to the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. History records that many of the temples were damaged during the Mughal invasions, especially in 1202 when Qutubuddin Aibak's general Iltutmish invaded Bundelkhand.
Role of ASI
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the maintenance and protection of the Khajuraho temple complex. The petition claimed that repeated requests were made to the ASI for the repair of the idol, but no action was taken. The Supreme Court in its judgment emphasised the jurisdiction of the ASI and asked the petitioner to approach them again.
Petition Details
The petition was filed by Rakesh Dalal. He claimed that the idol in the Jawari temple in Khajuraho was destroyed during the Mughal invasion and has been in a dilapidated condition for the past several centuries. In the petition, they argued that the reconstruction and restoration of the idol was necessary not only from an archaeological point of view but also from the point of view of the faith of Hindu devotees and the sanctity of the temple. The petition mentioned that despite repeated requests to the government, no action had been taken.
Supreme Court verdict
A bench of Chief Justice B. R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, while dismissing the petition, clarified that the Khajuraho temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court said that the matter falls within the purview of the ASI and the court cannot interfere in it. “This is an archaeological site, so permission from the ASI is required,” the bench noted.
Addressing the petitioner, the judge further said, “If you are a great devotee of Lord Vishnu, go and pray.” The comment hurt the sentiments of the petitioner, who called the verdict an insult to Hindu sentiments.
Petitioner's side
The petition was filed by Rakesh Dalal through senior advocate Sanjay M. Nuli. He argued that the condition of the idol is not only archaeological but also related to the religious sentiments and right to worship of Hindu devotees. The petition mentioned that the Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandravanshi dynasty and the repairs of the idol have been neglected during the British rule after the Mughal invasion and even after independence.
Social reaction
The court's comment and verdict have drawn strong reactions on social media, especially on X. Some have called the Chief Justice's comment to "go and tell God" insulting Hindu sentiments and 'Hinduphobic'. Many argued in support of the petitioner that this demand is part of religious faith and cultural heritage. Some compared it to other religious cases, such as the sensitivity shown by the court in the Waqf Act case, and alleged that the court's approach was disproportionate.
On the other hand, some have supported the court's decision, saying that the management of archaeological sites falls under the purview of the ASI and that the court has taken the right decision.
History of Khajuraho Temples
The Khajuraho temple complex, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, was built by the Chandela dynasty between the 10th and 12th centuries. The temples are characterized by their exquisite sculpture and architecture. The Jawari Temple is an important temple in the complex, dedicated to the Vamana avatar of Lord Vishnu. History records that many of the temples were damaged during the Mughal invasions, especially in 1202 when Qutubuddin Aibak's general Iltutmish invaded Bundelkhand.
Role of ASI
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the maintenance and protection of the Khajuraho temple complex. The petition claimed that repeated requests were made to the ASI for the repair of the idol, but no action was taken. The Supreme Court in its judgment emphasised the jurisdiction of the ASI and asked the petitioner to approach them again.
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