NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday strongly condemned the shoe-throwing incident inside the Supreme Court, calling it an insult to Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and urging action against those attempting to create unrest in society. His remarks came two days after an advocate tried to throw a shoe at the CJI during a court hearing.
On the incident, Kharge said, "We condemn the incidents that occurred in the Supreme Court and the insult meted out to CJI...Such people should be condemned by all our lawyers and the Bar Association...Those who are still violating people's fundamental rights in the name of Manusmriti and Sanatan Dharma must be educated. Those who attempt to spread unnecessary tension in society and disrupt peace must be educated and held accountable..."
He added, "The incidents that took place in the Supreme Court and the insult directed at the Chief Justice of India must be condemned. If such an atmosphere and such a mindset exist among Supreme Court judges and lawyers, and if a lawyer takes off his shoe and throws it, then this is condemnable. All our lawyers and the Bar Associations must denounce such acts. Such a person should also be debarred."
Kharge questioned the ideology behind the attack, saying, "If a person who calls himself a lawyer holds such a mindset, what kind of ideology is that? It is an ideology that does not recognise all humans as equals, that seeks to deprive women of the respect and status they deserve in today’s times, and that is rooted in a religion that, for thousands of years, kept people in bondage in this country. Even after Independence, after seventy to seventy-eight years, if such a mentality still exists, you can see what kind of direction such lawyers want to take this country in."
"I thank those judges who condemned the incident, who spoke in accordance with the Constitution, and who defended fundamental rights. Such institutions, such lawyers, and such individuals deserve appreciation. But those who continue to violate people’s basic rights in the name of Manusmriti and Sanatan Dharma must be educated. Those who try to spread unnecessary tension in society and disturb peace must also be educated," he said, adding, "I hope that all progressive-minded people of this country, who reject outdated ideologies and embrace the principles of the Constitution and democracy, continue to move forward and fight for these values. I am grateful to them. Thank you."
The incident took place on Monday when suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore, allegedly protesting against the CJI’s “go ask your deity” remark, attempted to hurl a shoe inside Court Number One. According to lawyers present, the man shouted “Sanatan Dharam ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” while being removed by security personnel. Some witnesses claimed he tried to throw a shoe, while others said it appeared to be a roll of paper. He was dressed in a lawyer’s robe. The session was briefly interrupted before proceedings resumed.
In his first reaction, Kishore told news agency ANI, "A PIL was filed in the Court of CJI on 16th September. The CJI mocked it and said - go and pray to the idol and tell it to restore its own head...When a matter related to our Sanatan Dharma comes up, SC passes such orders. Don't provide relief to the petitioner, but don't mock him either...I was hurt...I was not inebriated; this was my reaction to his action...I am not fearful. I don't regret what happened."
Reacting from the bench, CJI Gavai said: "Don't get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me." Gavai later clarified that he never made the comments attributed to him by social media.
The protest was linked to the court’s dismissal of a plea last month seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. A bench headed by CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran had refused to entertain the plea filed by Rakesh Dalal, terming it a "publicity interest litigation."
"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," the CJI said during the hearing. The petitioner’s counsel had urged the Supreme Court to allow reconstruction of the idol’s dilapidated head. The court held that the issue fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India. "It's an archaeological find, whether ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not... there are various issues," the CJI said.
He added, "In the meantime, if you are not averse to Shaivism, you can go and worship there... there is a very big linga of Shiva, one of the biggest in Khajuraho."
The Bar Council of India suspended Kishore’s licence following the incident. Delhi Police said no complaint was received, and Kishore was released after verification. The bars and lawyer community have strongly condemned the attack, terming it an attack on the judiciary and seeking action against the lawyer.
On the incident, Kharge said, "We condemn the incidents that occurred in the Supreme Court and the insult meted out to CJI...Such people should be condemned by all our lawyers and the Bar Association...Those who are still violating people's fundamental rights in the name of Manusmriti and Sanatan Dharma must be educated. Those who attempt to spread unnecessary tension in society and disrupt peace must be educated and held accountable..."
He added, "The incidents that took place in the Supreme Court and the insult directed at the Chief Justice of India must be condemned. If such an atmosphere and such a mindset exist among Supreme Court judges and lawyers, and if a lawyer takes off his shoe and throws it, then this is condemnable. All our lawyers and the Bar Associations must denounce such acts. Such a person should also be debarred."
#WATCH | Bengaluru, Karnataka | On a lawyer attempting to throw an object at CJI BR Gavai, Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We condemn the incidents that occurred in the Supreme Court and the insult meted out to CJI...Such people should be condemned by all… pic.twitter.com/xxTikePmB0
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2025
Kharge questioned the ideology behind the attack, saying, "If a person who calls himself a lawyer holds such a mindset, what kind of ideology is that? It is an ideology that does not recognise all humans as equals, that seeks to deprive women of the respect and status they deserve in today’s times, and that is rooted in a religion that, for thousands of years, kept people in bondage in this country. Even after Independence, after seventy to seventy-eight years, if such a mentality still exists, you can see what kind of direction such lawyers want to take this country in."
"I thank those judges who condemned the incident, who spoke in accordance with the Constitution, and who defended fundamental rights. Such institutions, such lawyers, and such individuals deserve appreciation. But those who continue to violate people’s basic rights in the name of Manusmriti and Sanatan Dharma must be educated. Those who try to spread unnecessary tension in society and disturb peace must also be educated," he said, adding, "I hope that all progressive-minded people of this country, who reject outdated ideologies and embrace the principles of the Constitution and democracy, continue to move forward and fight for these values. I am grateful to them. Thank you."
The incident took place on Monday when suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore, allegedly protesting against the CJI’s “go ask your deity” remark, attempted to hurl a shoe inside Court Number One. According to lawyers present, the man shouted “Sanatan Dharam ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” while being removed by security personnel. Some witnesses claimed he tried to throw a shoe, while others said it appeared to be a roll of paper. He was dressed in a lawyer’s robe. The session was briefly interrupted before proceedings resumed.
In his first reaction, Kishore told news agency ANI, "A PIL was filed in the Court of CJI on 16th September. The CJI mocked it and said - go and pray to the idol and tell it to restore its own head...When a matter related to our Sanatan Dharma comes up, SC passes such orders. Don't provide relief to the petitioner, but don't mock him either...I was hurt...I was not inebriated; this was my reaction to his action...I am not fearful. I don't regret what happened."
Reacting from the bench, CJI Gavai said: "Don't get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me." Gavai later clarified that he never made the comments attributed to him by social media.
The protest was linked to the court’s dismissal of a plea last month seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. A bench headed by CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran had refused to entertain the plea filed by Rakesh Dalal, terming it a "publicity interest litigation."
"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," the CJI said during the hearing. The petitioner’s counsel had urged the Supreme Court to allow reconstruction of the idol’s dilapidated head. The court held that the issue fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India. "It's an archaeological find, whether ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not... there are various issues," the CJI said.
He added, "In the meantime, if you are not averse to Shaivism, you can go and worship there... there is a very big linga of Shiva, one of the biggest in Khajuraho."
The Bar Council of India suspended Kishore’s licence following the incident. Delhi Police said no complaint was received, and Kishore was released after verification. The bars and lawyer community have strongly condemned the attack, terming it an attack on the judiciary and seeking action against the lawyer.
You may also like
Odisha: BJD constitutes steering and zonal committees for Nuapada bypolls
Chelsea and Arsenal get clear £78m message from Juventus as agent's meeting emerges
MP News: CS Calls For Local Participation In Government School Repair After Collector-Commissioner Conference
Akhilesh's Rampur Visit Marks Reset With Azam Khan, Eyes Consolidation Of Muslim-Yadav Vote
National Tennis C'ship: Parthsarthi, Akansha, Riddhi sail into pre-quarters
