Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spoke to Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai to strongly condemn an attempt by a lawyer to hurl a shoe at him inside the Supreme Court premises, news agency PTI reported.
The Prime Minister stated that the attack on the CJI has angered every Indian and emphasized that there is no place for such reprehensible acts in society. Commending Justice Gavai for maintaining calm during the incident, PM Modi highlighted the Chief Justice’s commitment to upholding the values of justice and strengthening the spirit of the Constitution.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister wrote:
“Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice B R 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.”
The shocking incident was described as a serious security breach when 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore allegedly attempted to throw a shoe at CJI Gavai during a hearing. Police sources revealed that a note containing the slogan, “Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma), was recovered from Kishore’s possession.
Despite the attempt, the CJI remained unfazed both during and after the incident. Justice Gavai instructed court officials and security personnel to ignore the act and allow Kishore to be escorted out with a warning.
In response, the Bar Council of India has suspended Rakesh Kishore’s license with immediate effect.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also strongly condemned the attack, calling it unprecedented, shameful, and abhorrent, ANI reported. In a post on X, he said:
“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 further highlighted that Justice Gavai, who rose to India’s highest judicial office through merit, integrity, and perseverance, has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution.
“When a sitting Chief Justice who rose to the nation’s highest judicial office through merit, integrity, and perseverance is targeted in such a manner, it sends a deeply disturbing message. It reflects an attempt to intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution,” he said.
The Congress chief also warned that the incident reflects a rise in hate, fanaticism, and bigotry in Indian society over the past decade.
(With inputs from PTI and ANI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/attempted-attack-on-cji-br-gavai-pm-modi-condemns-incident-says-it-has-angered-every-indian-23597492