Bengaluru, Oct 7 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah labeled the incident of a shoe being thrown at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai as “an act of Manuvadi elements”.

“The Chief Justice of India demonstrated his magnanimity by forgiving the incident. Nevertheless, I vehemently denounce the act, which reflects the mindset of Manuvadi elements,” he stated to reporters.

“I repudiate the mentality behind throwing a shoe at the CJI. This action is indicative of Manuvadis. The CJI remains undisturbed and continues to fulfill his duties. It is a sign of generosity to forgive the perpetrator,” he added.

“The influence of Sanatanis and Manuvadis is evident in this act,” Siddaramaiah emphasized.

Manuvaad pertains to the ideology rooted in Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu scripture attributed to sage Manu, often associated with caste-based social hierarchy or discrimination within Indian society.

In the meantime, state RDPR, IT, and BT Minister Priyank Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delayed response to the incident. “The Prime Minister claimed that the shoe-throwing incident targeting the Chief Justice of India has outraged every Indian. However, the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m., and PM Modi only reacted at 8:29 p.m.,” he remarked in a post on X.

“It took PM Modi a lengthy nine hours to respond. If it were a cricket match, he would have tweeted immediately! Although he claimed it outraged every Indian, Union Home Minister Amit Shah did not respond or condemn the act,” Kharge pointed out.

“The BJP failed to react or condemn the incident. No Union minister voiced their opinion. No BJP leader took to the streets. In fact, BJP and Sangh Parivar supporters are allegedly celebrating the shoe attack. In light of this, PM Modi chose to remain silent,” he alleged.

“Why is the BJP, which previously reacted strongly to allegations of vote manipulation, now silent? Isn’t the dignity of the Constitution and the integrity of the judiciary important to the BJP?” Kharge queried.

“This incident was not just an assault on an individual; it constitutes an attack on the Constitution, driven by an ideology that Modi himself endorses and supports. If Prime Minister Narendra Modi genuinely cared about outrage, he should have taken a stand against the ideology he represents,” he added.

A dramatic scene unfolded at the Supreme Court on Monday when an elderly man attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India Gavai during a courtroom session. However, the shoe fell short of the bench, and security personnel quickly restrained the individual.

Unfazed by the disruption, Chief Justice Gavai addressed the court, saying, “I am the last person to be impacted by such incidents,” before the proceedings continued as planned.

Eyewitnesses reported that the incident transpired shortly after the first case of the day was taken up. The man, later identified as Kishore Rakesh through a proximity card typically issued to lawyers and clerks, reportedly shouted slogans like, “India won’t tolerate Sanatan’s insult,” before attempting to throw the shoe. His motives are still unclear, and security agencies are currently interrogating him.

This dramatic occurrence followed criticism aimed at Chief Justice Gavai related to a statement he made last week during a hearing of a public interest petition regarding the reconstruction of a damaged idol of Lord Vishnu in Khajuraho. While dismissing the plea, Gavai reportedly commented, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something,” which sparked controversy on social media.

In response to the backlash, Chief Justice Gavai clarified, “I was informed that my remarks were misinterpreted on social media. I hold all religions in high regard.”