Congress Condemns attack on Chief Justice of India, calls it “unprecedented, shameful, and abhorrent”

The Congress on Monday strongly condemned the attempt to attack Chief Justice of India (CJI) B R Gavai in the Supreme Court, terming it “unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent.” Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the incident reflects an attempt to intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution.

“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,” Kharge said in a post on X. “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,” he added.

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Kharge further stated that the mindless act shows how hate, fanaticism, and bigotry have engulfed society in the past decade. “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,” he added.

The incident occurred during a court hearing today when a lawyer attempted to throw a shoe at CJI Gavai, shouting “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (“We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan”). Security personnel quickly intervened and escorted the lawyer out of the courtroom. The motive behind the attack is believed to be related to the CJI’s remarks in a previous case regarding the restoration of a broken idol of Lord Vishnu.

The attack has sparked widespread condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum, with many demanding strict action against the perpetrator. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also strongly condemned the incident, emphasizing the need to protect the judiciary and maintain the dignity of the highest judicial office.