For a lawyer suspended by the Bar Council of India at the ripe age of 72, Rakesh Kishore is unperturbed by the chaos he has created.
Published Oct 07, 2025 | 5:16 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2025 | 5:28 PM
Rajesh Kishore is being celebrated as hero by the Right-wingers on social media for hurling shoe at CJI Gavai in the courtroom.
Synopsis: On 6 October, 72-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore threw a shoe at CJI BR Gavai in the Supreme Court, claiming divine retribution for alleged insults to Sanatan Dharma. Unapologetic, Kishore’s act, sparked by Gavai’s remarks on a Khajuraho idol case, was celebrated by some Hindu right-wing groups. Social media revealed influencers inciting violence against Gavai, escalating tensions.
On 6 October, Monday, a disturbing incident unfolded in the Supreme Court when 72-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore hurled his shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai.
Worse still, he justified this criminal act as “divine retribution” for an alleged insult to “Sanatan Dharma,” showing no remorse. Meanwhile, some Hindu right-wing supporters celebrated Kishore’s uncouth action as a “bold defence” of their faith.
Kishore’s actions were triggered by CJI Gavai’s remarks during a Supreme Court hearing pertaining to the restoration of a damaged Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho.
In 2023, four youngsters released harmless smoke inside the Parliament.
They were protesting rising unemployment and manipur conflict, according to reports.
They were charged with UAPA.
On the other hand, the man who assaulted the CJI is comfortably giving interviews.
— Parth MN (@parthpunter) October 7, 2025
Dismissing the petition, Gavai termed the PIL as a “Publicity Interest Litigation”. He also suggested the petitioner to “go and ask the deity itself,” as courts could not mandate archaeological restoration, and advised introspection and meditation. This was misrepresented as an affront to Hindu beliefs, fuelling online outrage and culminating in Kishore’s brazen attack.
Social media is abuzz and polarised since the shoe hurling incident, with some supporting Kishore’s action, while others blaming it on the rising intolerance in the country.
A few X handles have shared videos where pro-Hindutva influencers, without mincing words, are seen discussing and explicitly encouraging violence against CJI BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court premises.
Fact-checker Mohammed Zubair posted a video on X where Right-wing rabble-rouser Ajeet Bharti is seen in a podcast with OpIndia editor Anupam Singh, and YouTuber Kaushlesh Rai, asking for “fixing Gavai”.
Right Wing Youtubers were inciting people to attack CJI a week before the incident.
A few days ago, on his YouTube channel, RW influencer, Ajeet bharti along with Kaushlesh Rai and Editor of Opindia, Anupam Singh were inciting people. During the conversation, Kaushlesh says,… pic.twitter.com/XNJvzJuTGb— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) October 7, 2025
“At least one Hindu lawyer should grab Gavai ji’s head in the courthouse and hit him hard against the wall, so that it breaks into two pieces,” Kaushlesh is heard saying in the podcast.
Kaushlesh Rai continues his diatribe against the CJI by saying, “2 October is coming, What Godse did is beyond your capability, but at least you can become Gandhi. What is the max punishment for spitting on Gavai’s face under IPC (sic)? Not more than six months, right?” Can’t Hindus do even that much?”
Ajit Bharti also suggested “surrounding Justice Gavai’s car”.
For a lawyer suspended by the Bar Council of India at the ripe age of 72, Rakesh Kishore is unperturbed by the chaos he has created. In an interview with ANI, Kishore says he doesn’t regret his action.
So it was not Sanatan but the bulldozer. https://t.co/ShEf6e6sw4
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) October 7, 2025
“No sanatani should stay quiet now. Do something for your religion. I’m not instigating anyone, but I would definitely want sanatanis to know about their rights,” Kishore said.
