A Supreme Court lawyer was held on Monday after he tried to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai.
Identified by the Delhi Police as Rakesh Kishore (71), he was quickly stopped by Gavai's Z-plus security team and handed over to the Supreme Court's security unit, as per an Indian Express report.
"Don't get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me," CJI Gavai said, calmly urging that the proceedings continue, as per a Bar and Bench report.
“He (Kishore) is a resident of the Mayur Vihar area and a registered member of the Supreme Court Bar Association,” a senior police officer said.
"I consider it to be an attack on the institution as a whole, not just CJI," Senior Advocate Indira Jaisingh said about the incident, adding that it required a "legal response" from the Supreme Court.
"Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge (Insulting the Sanatan Dharma won't be tolerated)", a furious Kishore was heard saying, as he was led away by security personnel.
In that regard, an initial investigation has pointed out that the CJI's remarks during a recent plea hearing about the restoration of a seven-foot-tall dilapidated Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh might have been a reason for Kishore's shoe-throwing attempt.
“Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission," he reportedly said at the time, while dismissing the case.
This led to a wave of social media backlash over hurt religious sentiments.
"I respect all religions," the CJI said in open court two days later, pointing out that he meant no disrespect, and that social media had blown the issue out of proportion.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, said that nowadays, "every action has disproportionate social media reaction", echoing CJI Gavai's statements.