Chief Justice BR Gavai Speaks Out on Attempted Shoe Attack

Chief Justice BR Gavai has finally addressed the attempt to throw a shoe at him earlier this week, describing it as an episode that has already passed and one that he prefers to move beyond.

Speaking to reporters, he said, “My learned brother and I were very shocked with what happened on Monday; for us it is a forgotten chapter.

Shock and Silence

The incident, which startled many and drew immediate media attention, involved a person hurling a shoe toward the Chief Justice and his companion during a public appearance.

While security personnel intervened swiftly, the mere act was seen by many as a bold affront to the dignity and safety of the highest judicial office. Yet CJI Gavai’s tone reflects a desire to de-escalate and relegate the matter to the past.

“A Forgotten Chapter”

By calling it “a forgotten chapter,” CJI Gavai sends a clear message: the judiciary will not allow such episodes to define or overshadow its work. The words also hint at a conscious decision to not let sensational acts overshadow institutional stability.

His reaction — calm, measured, minimal — suggests judicial gravitas: a refusal to be rattled, yet an affirmation that even isolated incidents merit due caution.

Implications for Judicial Security & Public Perception

Even as the Chief Justice wishes to leave the episode behind, the attempted attack raises deeper questions:

• Security protocols: How robust are existing measures to protect judges during public and semi-public appearances?
• Public sentiment and boldness: What compels an individual to openly sling a shoe at a sitting Chief Justice?
• Media and memory: Can calling something “forgotten” influence how the media and public recall it?

Gavai’s approach may help contain sensationalism, but the underlying vulnerabilities revealed by the incident may merit renewed attention behind closed doors.

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