BJP Leader Praises Lawyer Who Threw Shoe at Chief Justice of India Despite Nationwide Condemnation

Bhaskar Rao expressed admiration for the lawyer who threw a shoe at the Chief Justice, causing widespread controversy.

Bengaluru:

While the attack on Chief Justice of India BR Gavai has been widely condemned, a BJP leader has controversially praised the lawyer who attempted to throw his shoe at the country's top judge.

Bhaskar Rao, Karnataka BJP leader and former Bengaluru Commissioner, stated that he "admires" the courage of the lawyer for taking a stand and "living by it" despite the inappropriate nature of the act.

In his now-deleted post on X, Rao wrote, "Even if it is legally and terribly Wrong, I admire your courage, at your age, to take a stand and live by it, irrespective of consequences."

This statement provoked strong criticism from Congress leader Mansoor Khan who responded, "Even if it's legally and terribly wrong, you admire his courage? Coming from a former IPS officer, this is shameful. You once upheld the law; now you stand with someone who insulted the Chief Justice of India. What a fall!"

During a court proceeding, elderly lawyer Rakesh Kishore breached decorum by throwing a shoe at the Chief Justice. The projectile did not reach the bench, and security personnel quickly escorted him out of the courtroom.

Following the incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) promptly suspended Kishore.

When questioned about his actions, Kishore attempted to justify himself, claiming he was offended by the Chief Justice's comments during a hearing about restoring a Lord Vishnu structure in the Javari temple in Madhya Pradesh's Khajuraho.

"I did not do it; God did. The Chief Justice of India mocked Sanatan Dharma. This was the Almighty's order, a reaction to an action," Kishore stated.

The controversy stems from an earlier incident when Chief Justice Gavai's bench dismissed a petition seeking directives to reconstruct and reinstall Lord Vishnu's idol at the Javari temple, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex.

During that hearing, the Chief Justice had remarked, "This is purely publicity interest litigation.... Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation."

These comments sparked outrage on social media, prompting the Chief Justice to later clarify that he respects "all religions."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack on Monday, stating that it had "angered every Indian."

Leaders across political parties have also denounced the incident. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) issued a firm resolution condemning the advocate's disruptive behavior in the Chief Justice's courtroom.