'Shameful' : Congress President, TN & Kerala CMs Condemn Attack On Chief Justice BR Gavai In Supreme Court

In a shocking incident, an attempt was made to attack Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court. A lawyer tried to hurl a shoe at the CJI during the Court proceedings, before being apprehended by security personnel.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage and drew condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum.

In a social media post, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge described the episode as “unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent”, calling it “an attack on the dignity of our Judiciary and the rule of law.” He said the targeting of a sitting Chief Justice who rose to the nation's highest judicial office through “merit, integrity, and perseverance” was a deeply unsettling reflection of attempts to “intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution.”

Kharge further said the “mindless act shows how hate, fanaticism and bigotry has engulfed our society in the past decade.” Extending the Congress party's solidarity with the judiciary, he asserted, “The safety and security of our Judiciary is paramount. Let justice and reason prevail, not intimidation.”

On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. The safety and security of our Judiciary is paramount. Let justice and reason prevail, not intimidation.

An attempt to attack the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court today is unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent. It is an attack on the dignity of our Judiciary and the rule of law.When a sitting Chief Justice who rose to the nation's highest judicial office through merit, integrity, and perseverance — is targeted in such a manner, it sends a deeply disturbing message. It reflects an attempt to intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution.Such mindless act shows how hate, fanaticism and bigotry has engulfed our society in the past decade.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also strongly condemned the incident, terming it “an attack on the highest judicial office of our democracy.” Praising Chief Justice Gavai for his composure, Stalin said, “The manner in which the Hon'ble CJI responded with grace, calm and magnanimity shows the strength of the institution, but that cannot make us take the incident lightly.”

In a post on X,  he added that the reason cited by the attacker “shows how deeply the oppressive and hierarchical mindset still lingers in our society.” Stalin urged that India must “nurture a culture that respects and protects our institutions and demonstrates maturity in our conduct.”

The shameful act against Hon'ble CJI Thiru. B. R. Gavai inside the #SupremeCourt is an attack on the highest judicial office of our democracy and deserves the strongest condemnation.The manner in which the Hon'ble CJI responded with grace, calm and magnanimity shows the strength of the institution, but that cannot make us take the incident lightly. The reason revealed by the attacker for his act shows how deeply the oppressive and hierarchical mindset still lingers in our society.We must nurture a culture that respects and protects our institutions and demonstrates maturity in our conduct.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called the incident “alarming” and said it reflects “the hatred spread by the Sangh Parivar.” He cautioned against dismissing the attack as an isolated act, stating, “To dismiss it as an individual act is to ignore the growing climate of intolerance.”

“When communal fanaticism dares to target even the Chief Justice of India,” Vijayan said, “it exposes the grave danger of this divisive and venomous politics that must be confronted without hesitation.”

Strongly condemn the attempted attack on Chief Justice B.R. Gavai in the Supreme Court. This alarming incident is a reflection of the hatred spread by the Sangh Parivar. To dismiss it as an individual act is to ignore the growing climate of intolerance. When communal fanaticism dares to target even the Chief Justice of India, it exposes the grave danger of this divisive and venomous politics that must be confronted without hesitation.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the attack issuing the following statement :

"The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly condemns the act of throwing a shoe at the Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai. It demands that immediate action be taken against the concerned advocate, who is registered with the Supreme Court Bar Association and has been apprehended.

It is highly shocking and deplorable that a shoe was thrown at CJI Gavai in an open courtroom, accompanied by slogans shouted in support of Sanatan Dharma. The recent utterances of BJP chief ministers, ministers, and leaders promoting casteist, Manuvadi, and communal ideas have emboldened such acts. This incident is yet another example of the Manuvadi and communal venom injected into society by Hindutva communal forces. It also reflects the Sangh Parivar's intolerance and unwillingness to accept any opinion that does not conform to their ideology.

The CPI(M) demands that the Union government ensure adequate protection for CJI Gavai. The government must deal firmly with persons and organisations that spread intolerance, while safeguarding freedom of expression and the right to dissent."