India’s head judge gets hit with shoe amid religious dispute
(MENAFN) An Indian lawyer threw a shoe at Chief Justice BR Gavai during court proceedings in Delhi on Monday, apparently angered by comments the judge made about Hinduism, according to reports.
The lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, launched the attack in what is being viewed across India as a serious breach of courtroom security and a public insult. Three lawyers present confirmed that the shoe “brushed against the chief justice and [another] justice… and fell behind them.” As he was led away by security officials, Kishore was heard saying, “India won’t tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism].” He was subsequently suspended from legal practice.
Courtroom witnesses reported that Kishore deliberately threw the shoe and gestured to indicate his action. Despite the disruption, Chief Justice Gavai remained calm, instructing lawyers to continue their arguments without distraction. He has not publicly commented on the incident. Authorities later confirmed that no charges would be filed against Kishore.
The attack was linked to a recent court petition rejected by a bench headed by Justice Gavai, in which he commented on a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at a temple in Madhya Pradesh. Gavai reportedly called the petition “purely publicity interest litigation… Go and ask the deity himself to do something,” remarks that sparked controversy and accusations of mocking Hindu beliefs.
Kishore told The Print that he had been unable to sleep since the comments on September 16.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, calling it “utterly condemnable” and saying it had angered every Indian. “There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society,” he added.
In India, as in many other countries, throwing a shoe at someone in public is considered a strong act of disrespect and humiliation.
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