In a recent social media post, entrepreneur Sabeer Bhatia, reportedly based in the United States, tweeted a misleading narrative regarding the attempted shoe-hurling incident at the Supreme Court involving Chief Justice of India Bhushan R. Gavai. Bhatia claimed that “a Brahmin threw a shoe at the Dalit CJI” and questioned, “What if a Muslim had done it?”, implying communal overtones. He further stated that India must stop collective blame to progress.
However, official reports and eyewitness accounts clarify that the incident, which occurred on 6 October 2025, was widely and purposefully misrepresented by Bhatia. Chief Justice Gavai faced an attempted shoe-hurling in court by advocate Rakesh Kishore, who reportedly approached the dais and attempted to remove his shoe in protest. Security personnel intervened and escorted Kishore out of the courtroom. When asked how to handle the incident, CJI Gavai instructed officials to “just ignore” the episode, stating that the matter should not distract the court’s proceedings.
The confrontation reportedly occurred during the mentioning of cases before CJI Gavai’s Bench. Kishore was heard shouting, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge (We will not tolerate any insult to Sanatan).”
The lawyer later identified himself as a Dalit and a follower of Buddhism, clarifying his motivations as rooted in defending Hindu religious sentiments rather than communal or caste-based hostility.
“I’m a Dalit, My Life Is at Risk” – Adv Rakesh Kishore to OpIndia | Khajuraho Is My Next Missionpic.twitter.com/NlOVD7NJeK
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) October 8, 2025
The incident was linked to a recent hearing regarding the restoration of a seven-foot beheaded Vishnu idol at the Javari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. During the hearing, CJI Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran had reportedly told the petitioner’s lawyer that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India, not the judiciary. Kishore claimed that the CJI’s remarks, though unintended, reflected personal sentiments against Sanatan Dharma, prompting his protest.
Kishore later spoke to media outlets, stating that he faced threats to his life following the incident and that authorities had refused to allow him to publicly explain his position. He announced plans to undertake a fast at Khajuraho to restore the Vishnu idol, framing it as a divine directive.
Legal and eyewitness accounts confirm that Kishore acted independently and that caste was not a factor in the incident, directly contradicting Bhatia’s portrayal.
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