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CJI BR Gavai Lord Vishnu Remark: Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, who triggered a row over his remark on the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, said he respects all religions on Thursday. The CJI said his comments on the Vishnu idol matter has been misportrayed. "Someone told me that the comments I made have been wrongly portrayed on social media. I respect all religions," the Live Law reported.

Earlier on Tuesday, the CJI, while dismissing a petition seeking the restoration of a 7-foot-tall headless idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the iconic Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh, said, Ask the deity himself to do something.

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'Publicity Interest Litigation': SC Rejects Plea

"This is purely publicity interest litigation. Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation," justice Gavai said.

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"It's an archaeological find, whether the ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not, there are various issues," the CJI said. The CJI added, "In the meantime, if you are not averse to Shaivism, you can go and worship there; there is a very big linga of Shiva, one of the biggest in Khajuraho."

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih ruled that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), not the court.

The counsel for the petitioner said the idol's head was dilapidated and urged the court to intervene to allow its reconstruction. The bench said the issue squarely fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Dalal's petition sought directions for the replacement or reconstruction of the idol, arguing several representations were made to the central home ministry and the ASI.

(With PTI inputs)