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An Indian lawyer reportedly threw a shoe at Chief Justice BR Gavai during court proceedings, purportedly angered by remarks the judge made concerning Hinduism.
The incident, involving Rakesh Kishore, occurred on Monday in Delhi and is being widely viewed across India as a significant public insult and security lapse.
According to three lawyers present in the courtroom who spoke with the BBC, a shoe was indeed hurled at the judge, with one reporting that it “brushed against the chief justice and [another] justice… and fell behind them”.
As he was escorted from the courtroom by security officials, Mr. Kishore was heard proclaiming, “India won’t tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism]”. Subsequently, he has been suspended from legal practice.
Advocate Ravi Shanker Jha, who witnessed the incident, told the BBC that Mr. Kishore “threw his shoe, and raised his hand to indicate that he had thrown the shoe”.
Mr. Jha further stated, “After he was apprehended by the courtroom security, the chief justice told the lawyers to continue their arguments and not get distracted.”
Anas Tanwir, another lawyer present in the courtroom, informed the BBC that Chief Justice Gavai maintained composure throughout the event.
The chief justice has not issued a public statement regarding the matter. Indian authorities have indicated that no charges will be filed against Mr. Kishore.
Speaking to the Indian news outlet The Print, Mr. Kishore stated that the incident stemmed from a recent court petition rejected by a bench led by the chief justice, during which the judge also made comments about the Hindu god Vishnu.
Last month, while dismissing a plea to reconstruct a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at a temple in Madhya Pradesh, the chief justice reportedly said, “This is purely publicity interest litigation… Go and ask the deity himself to do something.”
These remarks drew criticism, with some accusing him of disrespecting Hindu beliefs. Justice Gavai later acknowledged the criticism, stating that he respects “all religions,” according to the Press Trust of India.
“He not only refused to accept the prayer, but made fun of the Lord Vishnu,” Mr. Kishore told The Print.
Hours after the shoe-throwing incident, Mr. Kishore also stated that he had “not been able to sleep since 16 September” when Justice Gavai made the controversial remarks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has labeled the shoe attack as “utterly condemnable,” joining widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum.
PTI reports that Modi spoke with Justice Gavai, stating that the attack had angered every Indian and that “There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society.”
Throwing a shoe at someone in public is widely considered an act of disrespect and humiliation in India and numerous other countries.
Earlier this year, a shoe was thrown at Kenyan President William Ruto during a rally.
In 2008, an Iraqi journalist threw a shoe at the then US President George W Bush in protest over America’s invasion of Iraq.
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