Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice B.R. Gavai following a violent incident aimed at that latter at the Supreme Court premises on Monday

Posting on micro-blogging site X, Mr. Modi said the attack on CJI Gavai had “angered every Indian”.

Attack on CJI shows bigotry engulfing the society: Opposition



“Spoke to Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to the values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution,” he posted.

The Prime Minister’s call and post come after Justice Gavai was attacked by a lawyer who threw what looked like a sheaf of papers at the Supreme Court judge during a hearing of a case. After an initial acknowledgement of surprise at the attack, Justice Gavai asked counsels presenting their case to carry on with the job. “Do not pay attention to such things. Please carry on… If we are not perturbed, why are you? Just ignore,” the CJI told the distracted lawyers present in the court room.

The individual who carried out the attack identified as advocate Rakesh Kishore, raised slogans about “Sanatan” while being escorted out of the court room by security personnel. The CJI’s recent remarks about a Vishnu idol in Khajuraho had raised a controversy. After incessant social media outrage for almost two days thereafter, Chief Justice Gavai had explained in open court that he believed in all faiths and “true secularism”.

There was widespread condemnation of the attack on CJI Gavai, with Opposition leaders like Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge taking out condemnatory statements.