New Delhi: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the attack on Chief Justice of India B R Gavai as disgraceful, stating that this “mindless act” highlights the pervasive hate and fanaticism in society. During a court session, a 71-year-old lawyer allegedly attempted to throw a shoe at CJI Gavai, but security intervened. “An attempt to attack the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court today is unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent. It is an attack on the dignity of our Judiciary and the rule of law,” Kharge expressed in a post on X. He noted the disturbing nature of targeting a sitting judge who achieved the highest judicial position through merit and integrity.
“It reflects an attempt to intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution. Such a mindless act shows how hate, fanaticism, and bigotry have engulfed our society in the past decade,” Kharge stated. He firmly condemned the attack on behalf of the Indian National Congress, emphasizing the importance of the Judiciary’s safety and security, asserting that justice and reason must prevail over intimidation. Despite the unsettling event, the CJI remained calm and continued with the hearings, stating, “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.” The incident reportedly occurred while the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran were discussing cases.
The assailant, identified as Rakesh Kishor from Mayur Vihar, approached the judges and attempted to throw his shoe. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) leader Sharad Pawar also condemned the attack, calling it an assault not only on the judiciary but also a serious affront to the Constitution. In his statement, the former Union minister emphasized the judiciary’s critical role in upholding democratic values and ensuring that debates lead to fair outcomes. Pawar remarked, “The judiciary exists to uphold the values of democracy and the Constitution.
An attempt to attack the Chief Justice of India in the highest institution of justice (Supreme Court) is not merely an assault on the judiciary, but a grave insult to our democracy, our Constitution, and our nation itself.” He expressed concern about the growing tendency to undermine constitutional institutions, noting, “The poison being spread in our country now refuses to respect even the highest constitutional institutions.”