"Pray To Lord Vishnu": Top Court Refuses To Hear Plea To Restore Beheaded Khajuraho Idol
The Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition seeking restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple -- part of the Khajuraho group of monuments in Madhya Pradesh
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- From: India News Bull
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has declined to consider a petition requesting the restoration of a 7-foot decapitated statue of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple, which belongs to the Khajuraho monument complex in Madhya Pradesh.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih stated that this issue falls under the Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) authority rather than the court's jurisdiction.
"Approach the deity directly to intervene now. You claim to be a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. So pray instead. This is an archaeological site requiring ASI authorization. We cannot help," Chief Justice Gavai informed the petitioner.
The petition was submitted by Rakesh Dalal, who asserted that the idol was damaged during Mughal invasions and has remained in this condition despite multiple appeals to the government for restoration.
It described the history of the Khajuraho temples, originally constructed by the Chandravanshi dynasty, and claimed that both colonial-era neglect and post-independence government inaction had left the idol unrestored even 77 years after Independence.
The petitioner contended that refusing to restore the idol violated devotees' constitutional right to worship. The petition emphasized the numerous protests, memoranda, and campaigns concerning the temple that have remained unanswered.