Rakesh Dalal Says-Immense Public Support, But The Path Must Remain Within The Law

Hisar: Rakesh Dalal, National President of the Rashtriya Veer Kisan Mazdoor Dal and the main petitioner in the case, reiterated during a press conference held on Saturday his demand for the scientific conservation and lawful restoration of the damaged idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple in Khajuraho.

Rakesh Dalal said that on September 16, 2025, the Supreme Court declined to intervene in the matter and stated that the temple falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Following this, he said, he repeatedly submitted letters, reminders and representations to the ASI and the concerned departments of the Central Government, requesting a scientific and lawful decision regarding the idol. According to him, despite repeated representations, his original demand has not yet been resolved.

Deepotsav Satyagraha and Maha Aarti on November 21

Rakesh Dalal announced that on November 21, 2026, a peaceful “Deepotsav Satyagraha and Maha Aarti” will be organised at the Javari Temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, as part of a public awareness campaign on the issue in India and abroad. He said the entire programme would be conducted within the framework of the law and administrative regulations.

Claims Support from India and Abroad

Dalal said that after this, he began raising the issue of the Javari Temple before members of the Indian community abroad, saints, and various religious and social organisations in India and overseas. According to him, the campaign has received support from a large number of saints and religious leaders across the country. He also claimed that members of the Indian diaspora living abroad have come forward in support of the demand.

He said the matter was also presented before Jagadguru Swami Nischalananda Saraswati Maharaj, Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Puri. According to Dalal, guidance was received at the religious level in favour of restoring the sanctity of the idol. He also said that social organisations and individuals had offered financial assistance for constructing a new idol.

Cites International Heritage Conservation Example

Rakesh Dalal cited examples of international heritage conservation from Italy and Greece, stating that in 2022, an ancient stone fragment associated with the Parthenon was brought from Italy to Greece and reunited with related ancient architectural elements at the Acropolis Museum in Athens.

He demanded that, in India too, experts should assess the conservation and possible restoration of the damaged idol at the Javari Temple using modern conservation science and in accordance with Indian law.

“We Will Not Take the Law Into Our Own Hands”

“We have the support of the saint community, citizens across the country and the Indian diaspora living abroad. Despite this, we will not take the law into our own hands. We approached the Supreme Court, then repeatedly submitted representations to the ASI and placed our concerns before the government. Our only demand is that the ASI should now take a time-bound, scientific and reasoned decision.”