Mumbai, Oct 8 (NationPress) The Shiv Sena (UBT) has vehemently criticized the incident where a shoe was hurled at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, labeling it as an assault on the Indian Constitution and a direct attack on democracy itself.

In an editorial for their official publication, Saamana, the Thackeray faction expressed that this troubling event signifies a profound loss of trust in the judicial system. They stated, “Despite its imperfections, the Supreme Court remains a beacon of hope for the citizens of India. The act directed at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai is a disgraceful act that should be condemned by everyone,” the editorial emphasized.

The Thackeray camp accused the act of shoe-throwing of being influenced by the toxic ideologies of the BJP and the Sangh. They declared this act to be both condemnable and disgraceful, asserting that no true Hindu would commit such a shameful deed.

“The individual who attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice Gavai is a staunch proponent of Sanatani Hinduism. Historically, these same Sanatanis have perpetrated violence and disrespect against significant figures, from Sant Dnyaneshwar to Mahatma Phule. They celebrate Godse Jayanti and even today, express their twisted joy by attacking effigies of Gandhi. Such actions have contributed to the degradation of India’s democracy in the past decade,” the editorial noted.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of Shiv Sena stated that a Hindu state should not be synonymous with barbarism and fanaticism. “Being a Hindu does not equate to being a fanatic or a blindly devoted follower,” the editorial continued, asserting that those who act violently in the name of Sanatan Dharma betray the very faith they claim to uphold. It referenced a statement from the lawyer involved, who claimed to have been driven by a divine vision for retaliation — a reasoning that the publication deemed both foolish and perilous.

“Chief Justice Gavai has performed admirably, exercising restraint and not succumbing to the provocations of the Sangh Parivar, yet he has still become a target for the Sanatanis,” it added.

In critiquing the shoe-throwing incident, Saamana also offered a broader examination of the judiciary, claiming that the judicial system in the country is corrupted. It has become increasingly challenging to attain genuine justice, with corruption and nepotism infiltrating the courts. The pressure of the government has led to daily political attacks on democracy and the Constitution.

“It would be understandable if a patriot, incensed by true injustice, had protested,” the publication stated. “However, channeling that anger through violent acts against a sitting Chief Justice while invoking Sanatan Dharma is utterly unacceptable.”

The editorial praised Chief Justice Gavai for his restraint and cautioned against allowing political or communal agendas to target the judicial system.

“Before Gavai, Dhananjay Chandrachud served as Chief Justice, who has been vocal about his actions in court and even invited PM Modi for religious gatherings at his residence. Numerous Chief Justices have accepted positions in government following retirement, with some becoming governors and others heading commissions. Yet, the ire was directed at Chief Justice Gavai under the guise of Sanatan,” the editorial concluded.