The All India Lawyers Union (AILU), Maharashtra State Committee, strongly condemns and protests the shocking incident of a shoe being hurled at the Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice B.R. Gavai, in the Chief Justice Court (Court No. 1) of the Supreme Court of India on October 6, 2025, purportedly in the name of “Sanatana Dharma.”
The incident occurred shortly after the bench commenced hearing the first matter of the day. A 71-year-old senior advocate, Rakesh Kishore (also referred to as Kishore Rakesh), holding a proximity card issued to lawyers and clerks for entry into the Supreme Court premises, raised slogans such as “India won’t tolerate Sanatan’s insults” before throwing a shoe toward the bench. Fortunately, the shoe did not reach the bench. CJI Gavai, demonstrating remarkable composure, stated, “I am the last person to be affected by such things. Please continue,” allowing the proceedings to resume uninterrupted. Security personnel detained the advocate, who was later released as the CJI chose not to pursue immediate action. However, the Bar Council of India has since suspended Rakesh Kishore’s license to practice law, citing a grave breach of professional conduct, and an investigation is ongoing.
This deplorable act is not merely an isolated outburst from an aberrant individual but must be viewed as part of an orchestrated and malicious campaign by RSS sponsored right wing communal elements to undermine the independence of the judiciary, its power of judicial review, and the foundational principles of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It appears linked to recent remarks by CJI Gavai during a hearing, where he metaphorically referenced the Hindu deity Vishnu in a legal context, which have misinterpreted as an insult to Hinduism or Sanatana Dharma. This reveals undertones of caste-based prejudice, particularly given CJI Gavai’s Dalit background.
The incident has evoked widespread condemnation across the legal fraternity, political parties, and society at large. Organizations like the national AILU, under President Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya and General Secretary P.V. Surendranath, have labeled it a “blatant attack on the Supreme Court and independent judiciary,” aligning with calls from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) described it as an assault on the Constitution. Social media discourse has highlighted concerns over “Brahminical terrorism” and the need to protect judicial figures from religious extremism, while emphasizing the impunity displayed—no immediate case was registered despite the attack in open court.
This assault shocks the conscience of the nation and echoes the dangerous “Nathuram mind” trajectory in India, threatening not only the judiciary but the very fabric of our democratic Constitution. It raises serious questions about courtroom security, judicial impartiality amid religious and caste tensions, and the broader political efforts to erode secularism through vilification of the courts’ role in reviewing religion-tied laws.
The AILU Maharashtra State Committee demands an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation into the incident, with swift and stern legal action against the culprit and any instigators or conspirators behind him. AILU insist on enhanced security measures in all courts to prevent such brazen attacks in the future. In solidarity with the national AILU, we call upon the entire legal fraternity, bar associations, and civil society to take decisive action: Organize peaceful protests and rallies across Maharashtra starting this week; launch online campaigns using #DefendJudiciaryNow to amplify our voice on social media; petition the Supreme Court and government authorities for exemplary punishment and systemic reforms; and convene urgent meetings and seminars to educate on the importance of judicial independence and secularism. Every lawyer and citizen must act now—join us in these efforts to safeguard our institutions from divisive forces. Silence is not an option; united action is imperative.
