Lawyer who threw shoe at CJI returns to Delhi:Petitioner Rakesh Dalal performs kirtan at Jabari Temple, alleges ASI obstructed rituals

The tourism town of Khajuraho has been in the news for the past two days after Supreme Court lawyer Dr. Rakesh Kishore Kumar, who threw a shoe at CJI B.R. Gavai on October 6, conducted prayers and rituals at local temples. On Thursday afternoon, he returned to Delhi, and now petitioner Rakesh Dalal has taken up the protests, accusing the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of obstructive and corrupt practices. Protests at Jabari temple Around 3 pm on Thursday, Dalal arrived at Jabari (Vaman) Temple in Khajuraho from Haryana. He began a kirtan (religious chanting ceremony) in the temple grounds. ASI staff reportedly stopped him from using a sound system. Dalal alleged that the ASI officials behaved like “demons” who disrupt religious ceremonies. He said: When we conducted hawan yesterday, ASI officers destroyed our ritual altar. Today, they are preventing our Kirtan. They won’t let us perform our duties; they have occupied our temples and created corruption. He added that land belonging to locals had been acquired cheaply by ASI for park development, and that their own community members were siding with authorities. Separate leadership in temple campaign Asked why he and Dr. Rakesh Kishore operate separately, Dalal said: We have been working on this campaign for eight years. The Supreme Court’s comments hurt our religious sentiments. We are not targeting individuals, only institutions. Dr. Rakesh Kishore performs Havan before leaving On Thursday morning around 11 am, before departing for Delhi, Dr. Kishore performed prayers at Jabari Temple along with his family, local saints, and devotees. A havan was conducted in the temple grounds, attended by Mahants and spiritual leaders from across India, including Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati of Dasna Devi Temple, Ghaziabad. ASI officials, including Dikshant Chaware, were present with security staff. They later asked participants to vacate the temple, stating that no statements could be given to the media. ASI claims no permission taken In a phone statement, Chaware said: All Khajuraho monuments are open to tourists. Any form of worship, prayers, meditation, or yoga is prohibited without prior permission, which Dr. Rakesh Kishore or his associates did not seek. Dr. Kishore stated he would perform mala offerings after the restoration of a 7-foot tall broken Vishnu idol in the temple. He emphasized that mental devotion, not just physical restoration, is key: If the idol is to be worshiped, its head should be restored and a smaller idol placed beside it for rituals. Background: Shoe-throwing incident at Supreme Court On October 6, Dr. Rakesh Kishore threw a shoe at CJI B.R. Gavai during a hearing, protesting the Supreme Court’s handling of a petition for restoring the Vishnu idol. The shoe did not hit the bench, and he was immediately restrained. PM Narendra Modi condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) revoked Kishore’s license, and the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended him for violating professional conduct rules. CJI’s comments on idol restoration Dr. Kishore was angered by CJI Gavai’s comments on September 16 dismissing the petition for restoring the broken Vishnu idol, stating: Go and ask God to do it himself. The petitioner, Dalal, had protested that the remarks hurt religious sentiments, as the idol was reportedly broken during Mughal invasions and has remained damaged since. CJI Gavai later clarified on September 18 that his remarks were misrepresented on social media and reiterated his respect for all religions. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also defended the CJI, noting that social media amplifies reactions unnecessarily. Wider implications The dispute highlights tensions between religious activists seeking idol restoration and heritage authorities enforcing preservation regulations. Both Dr. Kishore and Dalal insist their fight is with institutional policies, not individuals.