NEW DELHI: A courtroom in India’s capital witnessed dramatic scenes on Monday when a lawyer threw his shoe at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, reportedly in protest over remarks the judge had made about Hinduism.
According to witnesses, advocate Rakesh Kishore launched the shoe during an ongoing hearing before the Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice. The incident is being viewed as both a serious act of contempt and a major lapse in courtroom security.
Three lawyers present in the courtroom confirmed to the BBC that the shoe had been thrown and had brushed past the Chief Justice before falling behind the bench. As security officials moved in, Mr Kishore shouted, “India won’t tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism],” before being escorted out of the court.
Following the incident, the Bar Council suspended Mr Kishore’s licence to practice law. Advocate Ravi Shanker Jha, who was among those present, said the lawyer “threw his shoe and raised his hand to indicate that he had done so.” Despite the commotion, Chief Justice Gavai urged other lawyers to continue their arguments, maintaining composure throughout the disruption.
Indian authorities later confirmed that no criminal charges would be filed against Mr Kishore, though he remains suspended pending further inquiry.
The protest appears to have stemmed from a recent controversy surrounding remarks made by Chief Justice Gavai during a hearing last month. A petition had been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the reconstruction of a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at a temple in Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Justice reportedly dismissed the plea as “publicity interest litigation,” remarking, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something.”
The comments drew criticism from some Hindu groups, who accused the Chief Justice of mocking their faith. In response, Justice Gavai later clarified that he held “deep respect for all religions,” according to the Press Trust of India.
Speaking to the Indian outlet The Print after the incident, Mr Kishore said he had been deeply disturbed by what he viewed as disrespect toward Lord Vishnu. “He not only refused to accept the plea but also made fun of the deity. I haven’t been able to sleep since 16 September,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, calling it “utterly condemnable.” He said such acts of disrespect had no place in Indian society. The Prime Minister also spoke to Chief Justice Gavai, expressing solidarity and saying the incident had “angered every Indian.”
Throwing a shoe in public is widely regarded in South Asia as an act of humiliation and defiance. The act has symbolic resonance, recalling previous global incidents — such as the 2008 episode when an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoe at then–US President George W. Bush, and a similar incident earlier this year targeting Kenyan President William Ruto.
Despite the outrage sparked by Monday’s event, the Supreme Court resumed its normal schedule shortly afterward, with Justice Gavai reportedly refusing to allow the disturbance to disrupt judicial proceedings.
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