Editorial: Attack on the idea of India

While leaders cutting across parties condemned the attack on CJI Gavai, the deeper issue — of religious zealotry and mob radicalisation under the veneer of devotion — cannot be ignored

The shocking incident of shoe hurling at Chief Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai in the Supreme Court premises reflects the normalisation of hate in a deeply fractured society. It shows that even the highest constitutional spaces are not free from social prejudices. The attack has left the legal fraternity and the public deeply disturbed. The act, committed by 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore in the name of honouring ‘Santan Dharma’, occurred while the Chief Justice was presiding over a hearing. Justice Gavai, who belongs to the Dalit community, upholds, at least symbolically, the promises of the Constitution, wherein equality and dignity transcend multiple socio-cultural barriers. The attack on him is a shameful reflection of the growing intolerance corroding our national fabric. When even the educated sections of society resort to such uncivil behaviour, it signals a dangerous moral decay. This mindset stems from blind religious fanaticism, political manipulation, and a deliberate assault on reason and constitutional values. India’s strength lies in its tolerance, diversity, and respect for differing opinions — not in mob-like reactions. Such disgraceful conduct against the head of the judiciary undermines the dignity of the law. The nation must wake up to this rising tide of bigotry before it drowns our collective sanity. The CJI was apparently targeted for remarks he made while refusing to entertain a public interest litigation seeking judicial intervention for the reconstruction of an idol of Lord Vishnu in the Khajuraho temple. His comments were interpreted as being hurtful to Hindu sentiments.

Over the past decade, an ideological ecosystem promoting radical right-wing thinking has been created. This has emboldened certain groups that have repeatedly taken the law into their own hands, from cow vigilantism to street-level intimidation. The political glorification of ‘Sanatan Dharma’ as a rallying cry has often blurred into mindless aggression. Though the government distances itself from such acts, critics argue that the ideological ecosystem surrounding the Sangh Parivar has indirectly legitimised a culture of religious outrage. The Bar Council of India, the Supreme Court Bar Association, and the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta strongly condemned the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too expressed his disapproval, calling it “an act that has shaken every Indian.” While the immediate condemnations, cutting across party lines, were swift, the deeper issue — of religious zealotry and mob radicalisation under the veneer of devotion — cannot be ignored. That an elderly lawyer could resort to violence inside the highest court of the land shows how deep misinformation and sectarian anger have seeped into public consciousness. Kishore’s belief that he was defending religion is a telling example of how social media-fuelled fanaticism can override both logic and law. The all-round condemnation underlines that the incident was more than just an attack on one individual — it was an act of disrespect towards the institution of the judiciary, the Constitution it upholds, and the rule of law.

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