Lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who tried to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Monday, said he does not regret what he did. On Tuesday, Kishore told ANI that he acted out of hurt caused by the Chief Justice’s remarks while dismissing a petition related to the restoration of Lord Vishnu’s structure in the Javari temple at Khajuraho.
The lawyer said that he would not apologise for his actions. “I am not going to apologise. God made me do this, if he wishes I go to jail, or I am hanged, it is his wish,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: When asked that his actions might lead to more of such incidents, suspended Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to hurl an object at CJI BR Gavai, says, "…Judges should work on their sensitivity. Lakhs of cases are pending…I am neither going to apologise,… pic.twitter.com/OItNBLIfAd
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2025
Explaining his action, Kishore said, “I was deeply hurt. A PIL was filed in the Chief Justice’s court on September 16. Justice Gavai mocked it by saying, ‘Go pray to the idol to restore its head.’ But when cases involve other religions, like when railway land in Haldwani was occupied by a particular community, the Supreme Court stopped the removal three years ago. In Nupur Sharma’s case, the court said, ‘You have ruined the atmosphere.’ However, when it comes to matters related to Sanatan Dharma, such as Jallikattu or the height of Dahi Handi, the Supreme Court’s decisions have always hurt me.”
Adding to it Kishore mentioned that he found the court’s dismissal of his petition unfair and felt mocked. “If you do not want to provide relief, at least do not make fun of it. It was an injustice that the petition was dismissed. However, I am against violence, but you should think about why a common man who is not affiliated with any group took such a step. It is not that I was under the influence of a substance; it was my reaction to his action. I am not fearful and I have no regrets… I have not done anything, God made me do it,” he added.
Calls on CJI to maintain dignity of office
The lawyer urged the Chief Justice to uphold the dignity of his position, also referring to the Supreme Court’s past comments on the use of bulldozers by state governments.
“CJI is sitting on a Constitution post and is called ‘My Lord’, so he should understand the meaning of it and maintain the dignity. I ask the CJI and people opposing me if Yogi Ji’s bulldozer action against people occupying the government’s land in Bareilly was wrong?” Kishore said.
He also claimed that Hindus have been “tolerant for too long.” He said, “The matter is that for a thousand years we have been slaves to small communities. We have been tolerant, but when our identity itself is under threat I want that no Sanatani should remain silent in their homes. They should do anything they can”.
Criticises bar council suspension
Kishore also condemned the Bar Council’s decision to suspend him, calling it illegal. “Section 35 of the Advocates Act, under which I have been suspended, a disciplinary committee has to be constituted, which will send a notice, and I will reply. But the Bar Council has flouted the rules in my case. Now, I have to return the fee of my clients,” he told ANI.
He further added that he had been deeply disturbed since September 16. “I had already decided, as I was not able to sleep after September 16. Some divine power woke me up and said, ‘Nation is burning and you are sleeping?’ I am surprised that the Chief Justice let me go. I was interrogated for 3-4 hours by the police,” he said.