New Delhi — A dramatic scene unfolded in India’s Supreme Court on Monday when a lawyer hurled a shoe at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai during court proceedings in New Delhi, triggering a wave of condemnation from legal circles and political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Indian media and eyewitnesses, the shoe narrowly missed Chief Justice Gavai and another judge, landing behind the bench. Court security quickly restrained the assailant, identified as Rakesh Kishore, a practising lawyer. As he was being escorted out, he shouted, “We will not tolerate any insult to Sanatan Dharma,” referring to Hinduism’s traditional name.
The incident followed remarks Gavai reportedly made about Hinduism, which appear to have been misrepresented on social media, according to Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta. “I have personally seen Chief Justice visiting religious places of all religions with full reverence,” Mehta told Reuters.
Legal Community Condemns “Grave Breach”
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association called the act a serious breach of courtroom security and a violation of professional ethics.
“This behaviour is antithetical to the dignity of the legal profession and contrary to the constitutional values of decorum, discipline, and institutional integrity,” the association said in a statement, urging the court to take action against the lawyer involved.
Modi Calls Attack “Utterly Condemnable”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the incident, calling it “utterly condemnable” and saying it had angered “every Indian.” Modi personally spoke with Justice Gavai following the attack. “There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society,” he said, joining a chorus of political voices criticizing the assault.
The shoe-throwing incident has raised questions about security inside India’s highest court and highlighted how misinformation and religious sensitivities can rapidly escalate into public confrontations, even in the nation’s most respected institutions.