Pandharpur temple admin tells dist court that lower court order prohibiting protective coating on idols 'contrary to facts and evidence on record'

Kolhapur: The Shri Vitthal Rukhmini Mandir Samiti on Tuesday argued before the district court in Pandharpur that a lower court order temporarily halting conservation work on the Vitthal and Rukhmini idols is “contrary to the facts and documentary evidence on record.

”Appearing before district judge A S Salgar, the temple administration argued through advocate V J Jadhav that the planned conservation exercise on June 23 and 24 follows established procedures and expert guidance, noting that protective coating of Lord Vitthal had been carried out four times earlier.“It is argued that the appellant is acting as per directions given by state govt. It is submitted that, if the restoration procedure is not completed within time, it will affect religious sentiments of devotees,” states the order passed by the district judge during the second session of the hearing on Tuesday.The dispute stems from objections raised by petitioners associated with the Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh, who opposed the protective coating, claiming it was against shashtras (scriptures) and demanded that Vajralep using natural ingredients be undertaken instead.Earlier, the trial court had stayed the conservation work, citing an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) report that said the idols were in good condition and observing that there was no urgency.

It also noted that once applied, the protective coating cannot be undone.“The trial court, after hearing both sides, passed the impugned order. Thus, it will not be justifiable to pass any interim order without hearing the other side. In my view, before passing any order, it is necessary to hear the other side. Therefore, at this stage there is no urgency to grant any stay to the impugned order,” judge Salgar stated.The court issued a show-cause notice to the respondents — Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh — asking why a stay on the lower court’s order should not be granted, and posted the matter for further hearing on June 24.Defending the conservation process, Rajendra Shelke, chief executive officer of the temple trust, said, “The protective coating involves filling up the spores, eroded part of the idol using the powder of the stone similar to that of the idols. Then the coating will be carried out. This is standard practice in all govt administered temples across India. Earlier epoxy coating used to be done which has been upgraded with advanced materials.

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