Athawale seeks action under SC/ST Act against man who tried to hurl shoe at CJI Gavai

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Thursday, October 9, 2025, demanded a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the man who tried to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai.

He said that the incident took place because some people from the upper caste community could not accept the fact that Justice Gavai, who was from the Dalit community, had risen to such a high position.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Athawale, a prominent Dalit leader and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, said the incident was condemnable.

“This is the first time such an attack has taken place on the CJI. Bhushan Gavai is from the Dalit community and has reached this position (merit) alone,” the Minister said, adding that some members of the upper caste community could not digest this fact.

“Since Justice Gavai was attacked for being a Dalit, I demand that the accused be punished under the SC/ST Act. No CJI has been attacked before this,” Mr. Athawale added.

Mr. Athawale stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident and spoke to the CJI after the incident.

In an unprecedented and shocking incident, 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore on Monday picked up his shoe and tried to throw it at the CJI.