On Tuesday, Dalit groups and AAP leaders led by Saurabh Bharadwaj protested outside advocate Rakesh Kishore Mayur Vihar residence after he hurled a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, chanting “Jai Bheem” and “CJI ka Apmaan Nahi Sahega Hindustan” while carrying Ambedkar portraits and a garland of shoes. The All India Lawyers Union also marched at Supreme Court premises demanding FIRs and contempt proceedings against Kishore.
Supreme Court advocate Rakesh Kishore hurled his shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during court proceedings, shouting “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge, Hindustan” after being angered by Gavai’s dismissal of a plea to restore a beheaded Lord Vishnu idol.
The Bar Council of India immediately suspended Kishore’s licence, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the act as “reprehensible,” praising the CJI’s calm response.
“Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Courtroom Calm Amid Unprecedented Assault
The incident unfolded at 11:35 AM in Court No. 1 when the 71-year-old Kishore approached the bench, removed his sports shoe, and flung it toward CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran. Security swiftly intervened, restraining Kishore and escorting him out while he continued to shout slogans.
Despite the breach, CJI Gavai urged everyone to “just ignore” the disruption and proceeded with the day’s cases, stating “These things do not affect me”. Kishore later told ANI he had acted on “divine instructions,” refused to express remorse, and claimed his grievance stemmed from perceived mockery of “Sanatan Dharma” by the court.
Dalit Solidarity and Legal Fraternity’s Demand for Action
On Tuesday, Dalit activists and AAP members gathered outside Kishore’s Mayur Vihar apartment, where police had barricaded the gates to maintain order.
Chanting “Halla Bol” and “Jai Bheem,” protesters, led by AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj carried Dr BR Ambedkar’s portraits and symbolic garlands of shoes in solidarity with CJI Gavai, India’s second Dalit head of the judiciary.
Simultaneously, the All India Lawyers Union staged a demonstration at the Supreme Court, calling the attack “an assault on the Constitution” and demanding formal FIRs and contempt charges against Kishore.
Controversial Remarks and Wider Backlash
The attempted attack was triggered by CJI Gavai’s oral comments on 16 September dismissing a petition for restoring a Vishnu idol at Khajuraho, when he asked petitioners to “go and ask the deity itself to do something”.
Right-wing groups accused him of insulting Hindu faith, though Gavai later clarified in open court that his words had been misconstrued and that he respected all religions. Political leaders from across the spectrum—PM Modi, Sonia Gandhi, and others condemned the violence, while experts warned that weaponising religious sentiment against a Dalit jurist undermines constitutional values.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident lays bare the precarious intersection of religious fervour, caste prejudice, and institutional respect in India’s democracy.
It speaks to how social media amplification of judicial statements can inflame extremist reactions, targeting a Chief Justice whose very appointment symbolises constitutional progress for marginalised communities.
Chief Justice Gavai’s dignified restraint and continuation of court business exemplify the rule of law under pressure, yet the event also exposes our collective failure to foster respectful, reasoned dialogue across faiths and castes.
