Readers’ comments: CJI Gavai’s remarks on Vishnu ‘understandably caused outrage’, were ‘injudicious’

The views expressed by Anand Teltumbde, in his article published in Scroll, about the shoe-hurling incident targeting Chief Justice of India Gavai are clearly one-sided and biased (“Anand Teltumbde: Attack on Dalit CJI Gavai recasts criminal aggression as nationalist virtue”). He misleadingly claims that the provocation stemmed merely from the CJI’s dismissal of a petition seeking the “rehabilitation” of a Vishnu idol at a Khajuraho temple.

In reality, the incident was triggered by the CJI’s reported remark while dismissing the petition – “tell your Lord Vishnu to rehabilitate his own head”. Such a statement, mocking the religious sentiments of the Hindu majority, understandably caused outrage and led to the unfortunate incident. Teltumbde’s article conveniently omits this crucial context, thereby distorting the truth. Him portraying Hindus in a negative light while presenting Dalits as perpetual victims reflects a deeply prejudiced perspective.

It is evident that had the situation been reversed, his tone and argument would have been entirely different. Writers like Teltumbde, through their selective narratives and divisive rhetoric, contribute to social discord by fostering resentment between communities. Responsible journalism demands fairness, accuracy, and balance – not the propagation of ideological bias that fuels anarchy and mistrust in society. – Manoj Patil

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