CJI Gavai Reaffirms Respect For All Faiths Amid Online Backlash

Chief Justice of India B R Gavai found himself at the center of a social media storm today, as he firmly reiterated his respect for all religions in response to widespread online criticism over remarks attributed to him in a case involving the reconstruction of a Lord Vishnu idol. Speaking from the bench, the CJI expressed dismay at how his comments were misrepresented, sparking a heated debate about the perils of unchecked social media narratives.

The controversy stems from a May 16 hearing, where a bench led by CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran dismissed a plea seeking to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho temple complex. The petitioner, Rakesh Dalal, had urged the court to order the replacement and consecration of the damaged idol. Dismissing the plea as a “publicity interest litigation,” CJI Gavai remarked, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then pray and do some meditation.” He also suggested that the petitioner could worship at a nearby Shiva temple, noting its significant linga, one of the largest in Khajuraho.

These remarks, taken out of context, triggered a barrage of critical social media posts, with some accusing the CJI of disrespecting religious sentiments. Addressing the backlash, CJI Gavai clarified, “Someone told me my comments were misrepresented on social media. I respect all religions.” His statement was backed by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who vouched for the CJI’s reverence for all faiths. “I’ve known Justice Gavai for a decade. He visits all religious places with equal devotion and would never insult any deity,” Mehta said, lamenting the distortion of facts online.

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Mehta went further, critiquing the reactive nature of social media. “We once learned Newton’s law: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Now, social media has a new rule: every action sparks a wrong and disproportionate overreaction,” he quipped, calling the misrepresentation of the CJI’s words “unfortunate” and based on “totally incorrect information.” Justice Chandran, sharing the bench, echoed this sentiment, describing social media as “anti-social media” and citing his own recusal from a case due to misleading online narratives about a lawyer involved.

Senior advocates in the courtroom also weighed in. Sanjay Nul, who represented the petitioner in the Khajuraho case, expressed alarm at the false narratives, clarifying that the CJI never made the statements attributed to him. Kapil Sibal, another senior advocate present, called social media an “unruly horse” impossible to tame, noting its daily toll on public discourse. The CJI himself drew parallels to recent violent protests in Nepal, highlighting how misinformation can fuel unrest.

The episode underscores the growing challenge of combating misinformation in the digital age, particularly when it targets judicial proceedings. As the CJI and legal luminaries call for greater responsibility, the incident serves as a stark reminder of social media’s power to distort truth and inflame tensions, leaving courts and public figures vulnerable to misinterpretation.

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