Guwahati, Sept. 18 -- Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai has found himself at the center of a growing controversy after a courtroom remark during a hearing triggered a wave of outrage, social media backlash, and even calls for his impeachment.

The storm erupted during a hearing on September 16, when the CJI, responding to a petition seeking restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple in Madhya Pradesh, remarked:"Go and ask the deity itself to do something now."

He added, "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."

Although CJI Gavai intended the comment to reflect procedural jurisdiction, specifically, the Archa...