New Delhi: Leaders of opposition parties condemned an attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai on Monday, saying it is an assault on the Constitution and it shows how hate and fanaticism have engulfed society.
The Congress, CPI, CPI(M), NCP-SP, Shiv Sena (UBT), DMK, and other parties were unanimous in condemning the attack on the CJI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Justice Gavai and said the attack on him has angered every Indian. “There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable,” Modi said, appreciating the calm displayed by the CJI.
“The nation must stand in solidarity with him unitedly with a deep sense of anguish and outrage,” Gandhi said.
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the incident as an “attack on the judiciary and rule of law.”
“An attempt to attack the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court today is unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent. 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. Such mindless act shows how hate, fanaticism and bigotry has engulfed our society in the past decade. The safety and security of our Judiciary is paramount. Let justice and reason prevail, not intimidation,” Kharge wrote on X.
The incident occurred during case-mentioning before a bench led by CJI Gavai, when a lawyer removed his shoe and attempted to throw it, shouting “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge (we will not tolerate insult of Sanatan Dharma).” Security intervened swiftly and the courtroom was cleared of disruption.
Despite the provocation, CJI Gavai remained composed, urging the court not to be distracted and remarking, “These things do not affect me.”
Last month, a CJI-led bench had dismissed a plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
He then went on to make remarks that were widely criticised on social media.
“This is purely publicity interest litigation… Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation,” he said.
Amid massive backlash, the Chief Justice later reaffirmed his “respect for all religions.”
