An Indian lawyer has thrown a shoe at the country's Chief Justice BR Gavai after being angered by remarks the judge made about a Hindu god.
Rakesh Kishore launched his attack during Monday's court proceedings in Delhi in what is seen across India as a serious public insult and security breach. Three lawyers present in the courtroom confirmed to the BBC that a shoe had been hurled at the judge, with one saying it brushed against the chief justice and [another] justice... and fell behind them.
Mr Kishore was heard saying India won't tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism], as he was led away from the courtroom by security officials. He was later suspended from practice.
Advocate Ravi Shanker Jha, a lawyer who was in the courtroom during the incident, told the BBC that Mr Kishore threw his shoe, and raised his hand to indicate that he had thrown the shoe.
After he was apprehended by the courtroom security, the chief justice told the lawyers to continue their arguments and not get distracted, Mr Jha added. Chief Justice Gavai remained calm at all times, as reported by another lawyer present.
The chief justice has not publicly commented on the issue, and Indian authorities later said no charges would be filed against Mr Kishore. Mr Kishore explained to an online news outlet that his actions related to a petition the court had rejected concerning the reconstruction of a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu.
During the dismissal, Justice Gavai remarked, This is purely publicity interest litigation... Go and ask the deity himself to do something, which ignited controversy as some accused him of mocking Hindu beliefs. According to reports, Justice Gavai later noted a respect for all religions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labelled the shoe attack as utterly condemnable, stating the attack angered every citizen and asserting that there is no place for such reprehensible acts in Indian society. Throwing a shoe at someone is considered a serious insult in both India and various other cultures, often signifying deep discontent.
Rakesh Kishore launched his attack during Monday's court proceedings in Delhi in what is seen across India as a serious public insult and security breach. Three lawyers present in the courtroom confirmed to the BBC that a shoe had been hurled at the judge, with one saying it brushed against the chief justice and [another] justice... and fell behind them.
Mr Kishore was heard saying India won't tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma [Hinduism], as he was led away from the courtroom by security officials. He was later suspended from practice.
Advocate Ravi Shanker Jha, a lawyer who was in the courtroom during the incident, told the BBC that Mr Kishore threw his shoe, and raised his hand to indicate that he had thrown the shoe.
After he was apprehended by the courtroom security, the chief justice told the lawyers to continue their arguments and not get distracted, Mr Jha added. Chief Justice Gavai remained calm at all times, as reported by another lawyer present.
The chief justice has not publicly commented on the issue, and Indian authorities later said no charges would be filed against Mr Kishore. Mr Kishore explained to an online news outlet that his actions related to a petition the court had rejected concerning the reconstruction of a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu.
During the dismissal, Justice Gavai remarked, This is purely publicity interest litigation... Go and ask the deity himself to do something, which ignited controversy as some accused him of mocking Hindu beliefs. According to reports, Justice Gavai later noted a respect for all religions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labelled the shoe attack as utterly condemnable, stating the attack angered every citizen and asserting that there is no place for such reprehensible acts in Indian society. Throwing a shoe at someone is considered a serious insult in both India and various other cultures, often signifying deep discontent.
