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By condemning the attack, PM Modi made it clear that it won’t be treated as a petty offence and the identities associated with the person occupying the Chair will be protected
CJI BR Gavai (left) and PM Narendra Modi | File Image
The Executive and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intervened at its highest level on Tuesday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not just stop at a social media post condemning the act of shoe hurling at CJI BR Gavai, calling it “inconsistent with dignity”, but dialled the Chief Justice of India before the post and had a chat with him, enquiring about the incident. In his post, he praised Gavai’s composure during the attack.
In doing so, the prime minister sent out two messages. One, the CJI may not have registered a complaint, but the government of India does not treat it as a petty offence as the attack was not just on a person but against an institution. Two, the government will not only protect the Chair, but the identities associated with the person occupying the chair—in this case, Gavai’s Dalit and Buddhist identity.
Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2025
Even before the Opposition, particularly the Congress, could make an electoral issue out of it in the Bihar election, the prime minister sprang into action.
Justice Gavai was the first Supreme Court judge from the Scheduled Caste community to have become CJI after the retirement of former Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan in 2010. His father RS Gavai was a prominent Ambedkarite leader. Perceived inaction by the government would be counterproductive in poll-bound Bihar whose dates were announced on Tuesday by the Election Commission. According to the 2023 Bihar caste survey (Bihar Jaati Adharit Ganana), Scheduled Castes (SCs) make up about 19.65 per cent of Bihar’s population—a huge chunk that has risen from 15.9 per cent from the 2011 census.
Along with being a Dalit, CJI Gavai is also a Buddhist. Justice Gavai comes from a strong Ambedkarite legacy—his father, a politician, had embraced Buddhism along with Dr BR Ambedkar in 1956. A perceived attack on CJI Gavai could very well play out as an attack on Buddhists as well who form a significant religious chunk in Bihar. According to the Bihar caste-based survey (2022), there are 1,11,201 Buddhists in Bihar.
Buxar and Kaimur (Bhabua) districts account for a large share of the Buddhist population. Other districts with Buddhist populations, though with smaller percentage, include Rohtas and Gaya. An upset Buddhist community could affect the electoral outcome of these districts, not just for the BJP but other NDA allies.
The BJP fielded party spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi late at night to repeat the prime minister’s message, but on behalf of the party. “Today the way CJI was treated in the court, the BJP condemns this. Every Indian is hurt… PM Narendra Modi also expressed his disappointment. It is the responsibility of each Indian to protect people sitting on constitutional posts. The PM said the way CJI Gavai exhibited patience, it is not only appreciable, but it also signifies his unwavering faith in the constitutional system, and values.”
Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in …Read More
Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep throat in … Read More
October 07, 2025, 12:02 IST
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