Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday condemned the shoe-throwing incident targeting Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, saying it reflects “a chilling vision of BJP’s Viksit Bharat,” with the attacker displaying brazen confidence that he would face no real consequences.
Mufti argued that the incident raises questions that go beyond the legal sphere.
“A shoe hurled at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai paints a disturbing picture of what BJP’s Viksit Bharat could look like by 2047. The attacker acted with blatant assurance, knowing there would be no serious repercussions for his reprehensible act,” she wrote on X.
The former chief minister described such incidents as the “new normal” in India.
“This is the new normal in Godse’s Bharat, where mob lynchers are garlanded, rapists are pardoned, and hate is rewarded. Unlike Umar Khalid or Sharjeel Imam, who have been imprisoned for years without bail merely for expressing dissent, the perpetrators here face no accountability,” she added.
Mufti further questioned the judiciary’s response. “The question before the court is no longer just legal but existential. Will the judiciary stand up to defend the Constitution, or remain silent as it is trampled—quite literally—under a shoe?”
The incident occurred on Monday when 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishor approached the dais during Supreme Court proceedings, removed his shoe, and allegedly attempted to hurl it at CJI Gavai. Security personnel quickly intervened and prevented the attack. As he was being escorted out, Kishor was heard shouting, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma).
