‘Unprecedented & shameful’: Congress chief Kharge condemns attempted attack on CJI Gavai

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday strongly condemned the reported attempt to attack Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court, terming it an “unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent” act that strikes at the dignity of the judiciary and the rule of law.

In a post on X, Kharge said the incident reflected a deeply disturbing attempt to “intimidate and humiliate” the country’s top judge.

“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,” Kharge said.

The Congress chief further said that the episode demonstrated how “hate, fanaticism and bigotry” had engulfed Indian society over the past decade. He stressed that the safety and security of the judiciary must remain paramount.

“On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. Let justice and reason prevail, not intimidation,” Kharge added.

In a rare security breach at the Supreme Court on Monday, a man allegedly attempted to hurl an object at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during the morning proceedings.

Eyewitnesses said the individual, dressed in a lawyer’s gown, began shouting slogans before being swiftly overpowered and escorted out by security personnel. The commotion briefly disrupted the court’s functioning, though proceedings resumed after a few minutes.

According to lawyers present, the man shouted, “Sanatan Dharama ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma) as he was being taken away. While some witnesses claimed he tried to throw a shoe, others said it looked like a rolled-up sheet of paper.