Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) president Alok Kumar on Thursday (September 18, 2025) condemned the oral remarks made by the Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai on a plea seeking to repair and re-install a Vishnu idol in Khajuraho temple complex. The organisation also cautioned ‘everyone’ to exercise restraint in speech when the matter is associated with religious sentiments of people.While declining a petition filed by Rakesh Dalal which sought an order from the Court for the repair of a 7-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at Javari temple in Khajuraho, the Bench headed the CJI and also comprising Justice Vinod Chandran said that the matter fell within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).The CJI, on September 16, 2025 also orally remarked that the petitioner should go and pray to the lord himself for the relief.“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....,” the CJI reportedly said.Reacting to the CJI’s oral remarks, Mr. Kumar said that the court is the temple of justice and Indian society has faith and trust in the courts.“It is the duty of all of us that this trust not only remains intact but also grows stronger. It is also the duty of all of us to exercise restraint in our speech. Especially inside the court. This responsibility lies with those fighting the case, with the lawyers, and equally with the Judges,” said Mr. Kumar.The VHP chief, who is also a practising lawyer, said that the organisation feels that the CJI’s oral remark has mocked the faiths of Hinduism.“It would be better to avoid such remarks,” he added. Published - September 18, 2025 03:32 pm IST
