New Delhi – In her first public response since the shocking incident at the Supreme Court, Kamaltai Gavai, the 84-year-old mother of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R Gavai, has strongly condemned the shoe-hurling attack that occurred on Monday. The CJI mother condemns shoe attack as an “assault on the Constitution” and a dangerous attempt to create “anarchy in the country.”
The incident took place during case mentions before a bench headed by Chief Justice Gavai when advocate Rakesh Kishore hurled an object towards the dais. Security personnel immediately intervened and escorted the accused out of the courtroom. As he was being removed, Kishore shouted, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (“We will not tolerate any insult to Sanatan”), apparently referring to remarks made during the hearing of the Khajuraho Vishnu idol restoration case.
Strong Words Against Lawlessness
Speaking to reporters in Amravati on Tuesday, Kamaltai delivered a powerful message about the sanctity of democratic institutions. The CJI mother condemns shoe attack and warned that “such acts amount to spreading anarchy.” She emphasized that while every citizen has the right to express disagreement, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands.
“We must protect the dignity of our democratic institutions,” she stated firmly. Her words reflected deep concern about the precedent such incidents set for the nation’s judicial system and constitutional framework.
Attack on Constitutional Values
Kamaltai did not mince words when describing the broader implications of the attack. The CJI mother condemns shoe attack not merely as a personal affront to her son but as part of a “poisonous ideology that must be checked before it spreads.”
“This is not just a personal attack but part of a poisonous ideology that must be checked before it spreads. Such incidents insult our Constitution and disgrace our nation. Anyone acting against the Constitution must face strict punishment,” she declared.
Her statement underscores the severity with which she views the incident—not as an isolated act of frustration but as a threat to the constitutional order itself.
Ambedkar’s Vision of Inclusive Democracy
Calling for restraint and mutual respect, Kamaltai invoked Dr BR Ambedkar’s vision for India. She reaffirmed her faith in the Constitution’s founding principles, stating, “Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us an inclusive Constitution based on the principle of ‘live and let live’. No one has the right to create disorder.”
The CJI mother condemns shoe attack while urging people to resolve their issues peacefully and through constitutional means. Her appeal emphasizes dialogue and legal recourse over violence and disruption.
Context of Recent Events
The statement gains additional significance in light of recent developments. Just days before the Supreme Court incident, Kamaltai declined an invitation to attend the RSS centenary celebrations in Amravati following backlash from Dalit groups. This decision had generated considerable attention and controversy.
Legal Community Responds
The Amravati District Lawyers Association staged a protest on Tuesday, condemning the Supreme Court incident. Hundreds of advocates gathered at the district collector’s office, demanding strict action against advocate Rakesh Kishore. Association president Adv Sunil Deshmukh, secretary Adv Amol Mural, and senior lawyers including Adv Prashant Deshpande termed the act “an affront to the judiciary and the rule of law.”
Allegations of Conspiracy
Former IAS officer EZ Khobragade, representing the Sanvidhan Foundation, described the attack as a “planned conspiracy beyond caste lines.” He declared, “This was an attack on the judiciary itself. The assailant must be punished without delay. If the government fails to act decisively, such incidents may embolden others.”
Khobragade also hinted at a possible connection between the courtroom attack and Kamaltai’s recent decision to skip the RSS centenary event. “Her refusal was seen as an insult by the saffron organisation. What happened in Delhi the very next day cannot be viewed in isolation,” he remarked, suggesting the incident may have had deeper motivations.
Call for Strict Action
As the CJI mother condemns shoe attack, she joins a growing chorus demanding accountability and strict punishment for the accused. The incident to which CJI mother condemns shoe attack has raised serious questions about security protocols at the Supreme Court and the protection of judicial independence from intimidation and violence.
Protecting Democratic Institutions
CJI mother condemns shoe attack response reflects concerns shared by many about the erosion of respect for constitutional institutions. The CJI mother condemns shoe attack as symptomatic of larger challenges facing India’s democracy—the rise of intolerance, the willingness to resort to violence over disagreements, and the targeting of judges for their judicial decisions.
Her call for citizens to respect democratic institutions and resolve disputes through constitutional means resonates as a timely reminder of the principles that underpin India’s legal and political system. As investigations continue into the incident, her words serve as a moral compass pointing toward restraint, respect, and adherence to the rule of law.
