Unfazed: The Story Behind the Shoe Thrown at India's Chief Justice

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You know, some days in the news are just stranger than fiction. Imagine this: the Supreme Court of India, the highest judicial body in the country, is in session. The Chief Justice has just started hearing the first case of the day when, out of nowhere, an elderly man disrupts everything by trying to throw a shoe at the bench. It sounds like something out of a movie, but this is exactly what happened on Monday, October 6, 2025, creating a scene of brief chaos and raising a lot of questions.

Key Highlights

• ✓ A man, reportedly a lawyer, attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during a live Supreme Court session.
• ✓ The protestor shouted slogans, including "Sanatan Dharam ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan," before being removed by security.
• ✓ The act was a protest against a remark CJI Gavai made during a plea concerning a damaged Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho.
• ✓ CJI Gavai remained completely unfazed by the incident, stating, "These things do not affect me," and calmly continued the hearing.
• ✓ The original case involved a plea to reconstruct a seven-foot idol, which the court dismissed, labeling it "publicity interest litigation."

A Disruption in the Highest Court

It all went down in a flash. Just as the day's proceedings were getting underway, a man dressed in a lawyer's robe suddenly began shouting slogans. Eyewitnesses reported hearing him yell, "Sanatan Dharam ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan," which translates to "India will not tolerate disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma." As he shouted, he hurled an object towards the bench where Chief Justice BR Gavai was presiding.

There was some initial confusion about what was thrown. Some witnesses claimed it was a shoe, while others thought it looked more like a roll of paper. Whatever it was, it didn't reach the bench. The security personnel in the courtroom were incredibly swift, grabbing the man and escorting him out immediately. The man, later identified as Kishore Rakesh from a proximity card he was carrying, caused only a few minutes of interruption before he was taken into custody for questioning.

The moment was shocking, no doubt. An act of protest this dramatic is incredibly rare in such a setting. But what happened next was perhaps even more remarkable—the reaction of the Chief Justice himself.

💡 CJI Gavai's Composed Response: "Don't get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me."

The Calm in the Storm: The Chief Justice's Reaction

While you might expect such an event to rattle anyone, CJI Gavai was the picture of composure. He didn't flinch. Instead of getting flustered, he simply addressed the lawyers in the room and ensured that the court's work would continue without delay. A lawyer present during the incident noted that the Chief Justice was calm throughout the entire ordeal.

According to reports, he said, "I am the last person to be affected by such things. Please continue." With that, the proceedings resumed as if nothing had happened. Later, it was even reported that the Chief Justice asked the court registry not to take any action against the man. It was a masterclass in maintaining judicial decorum under pressure, and it left a lasting impression on everyone present.

The Backstory: The Lord Vishnu Idol Case

So, what could possibly drive someone to do this? The protest wasn't random. It was the culmination of a controversy that had been brewing on social media, stemming from a comment the Chief Justice made during a hearing last month. The case involved a petition filed by a man named Rakesh Dalal, who was seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a damaged seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu.

This specific idol is located at the Javari Temple, part of the famous UNESCO World Heritage site at the Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. The petitioner's counsel argued that the idol's head was dilapidated and urged the Supreme Court to intervene. However, the bench, headed by CJI Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, was not convinced. They dismissed the plea, terming it a "purely publicity interest litigation."

The court pointed out that this issue fell squarely under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). CJI Gavai noted, "It's an archaeological find, whether ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not... there are various issues." It was during this hearing that he made the remark that sparked the fire. He reportedly told the petitioner, "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."

Social Media's Role and the Legal Community's Reaction

That "go ask your deity" comment was clipped, shared, and quickly went viral, drawing sharp criticism on social media from many who felt it was disrespectful to their faith. The Chief Justice later acknowledged the backlash, saying, "Someone told me the other day that the comments I made have been portrayed on social media in a certain manner. I respect all religions."

This sentiment about social media's power to distort things was echoed by others in the court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta quipped, "We used to know Newton's Law - every action has an equal reaction, but now every action has a disproportionate social media reaction." Senior advocate Kapil Sibal agreed, calling social media an "unruly horse" with "no way to tame it!"

Following the shoe-throwing incident, senior jurist Indira Jaising condemned the act in strong terms. She called for a thorough investigation and suggested the incident "appears to be a blatant casteist attack on the Supreme Court of India." She praised CJI Gavai's dignified response but insisted that such "ideological attacks will not be tolerated by the court."

Conclusion

When you put all the pieces together, it's a fascinating and complex story. A legal petition about an ancient idol in Khajuraho, a judge's off-the-cuff remark, a social media firestorm, and a dramatic, physical protest in the nation's highest court. It’s a powerful reminder of the delicate intersection of law, faith, and public perception in the digital age.

But through it all, the standout element remains the incredible poise of CJI BR Gavai. Faced with a direct and personal challenge, his refusal to be distracted or provoked ensured that the dignity of the court remained intact. The shoe may have been thrown in anger, but it was met with a calm that spoke volumes about the resilience of the institution he leads.