Lawyer who threw a shoe at CJI visits Khajuraho:Rakesh Kishore says, ‘I came on Justice B.R. Gavai’s direction, will meditate and pray at the temple’

It has been one month since a shoe was thrown at Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai in the Supreme Court. The accused, Delhi-based lawyer Rakesh Kishore Kumar, has now resurfaced in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, where he claims to be fulfilling what he calls a ‘divine command’. For the past two days, Rakesh has been staying in Khajuraho to meditate and pray at the Javari Temple of Lord Vishnu, the same temple about which Justice Gavai had remarked during a court hearing on 16 September 2025. Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, Rakesh said he came to Khajuraho at the behest of Justice Gavai and plans to meditate in front of the idol at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. ‘I came here to pray, not to protest’ In his conversation with the reporter, Rakesh explained that he had arrived in Khajuraho the previous day. ‘This is my first strike on stone,’ he said. ‘On 5 and 6 November, I will meditate before the idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple. I have invited all Sanatanis to come peacefully, without banners, noise, or sticks. I do not plan any rally, hunger strike, or self-immolation.’ He said he was accompanied by his wife and a friend from Gorakhpur, with his younger brother possibly joining later. Rakesh insisted he was not affiliated with any political or religious organisation. When told that temple authorities claim yoga or meditation is not allowed, he disagreed. ‘That statement is false. I have the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. It nowhere prohibits prayer or meditation,’ he said. Rakesh clarified that he would not perform rituals. ‘The idol is broken, and our religion forbids worshipping broken idols. I will not apply a tilak or offer water. I will only pray to God for strength.’ ‘Throwing the shoe was divine inspiration’ Asked about the moment he threw the shoe at the CJI, Rakesh said it stemmed from anger over a petition involving Lord Vishnu’s idol. ‘It began in September when a man named Rakesh Dalal filed a petition. I never met him. When I heard disrespectful words about Lord Vishnu, something stirred within me, perhaps divine inspiration. Out of 100 crore Hindus, if God chose me, maybe it was His will,’ he said. He claimed that some family members called it his imagination, but he believed it was a ‘divine command.’ Rakesh confirmed he had not met Justice Gavai since the incident. ‘He is a senior judge. I have never had a personal relationship with any CJI and do not expect to have one.’ At the temple, he said, he would only sit in meditation and practice Vipassana, nothing more. Restore the broken idol Rakesh said he aimed to have the broken head of Lord Vishnu’s idol restored. ‘A thousand years ago, invaders desecrated our idols. If the head is reattached, the symbol of slavery will end. A small idol of Lord Ganesha should also be installed so that regular worship may resume.’ He insisted that the Archaeological Act does not prohibit restoration. ‘It only says the structure must be over 100 years old. During earlier governments, no one took this up. Now that the BJP is in power, we will demand reinstallation of all broken idols across India.’ Rakesh denied having met or received support from any BJP leader. ‘When I was arrested, the police checked my phone. I only have one, and there’s no political contact,’ he said. No one had threatened him, although an NCP MLA once met him in Delhi, offering him a statue of Ambedkar and a copy of the Constitution along with an invitation to join the party, an offer he refused. The October 6 Courtroom Shock The shoe-throwing incident occurred on 6 October 2025, when a lawyer attempted to attack CJI B.R. Gavai during a Supreme Court hearing. The shoe missed its target, and security officers quickly restrained the lawyer, who shouted, ‘Hindustan will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan.’ CJI Gavai calmly told the court, ‘Please continue your arguments. These things don’t affect me.’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack on X (formerly Twitter), calling it ‘reprehensible’ and praising the CJI’s composure. ‘Every Indian is angry at this attack. Justice Gavai’s patience shows his deep commitment to the Constitution,’ Modi wrote. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) revoked Rakesh’s licence, and the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended him from practice. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra called the act a violation of the professional code of conduct. Case behind the controversy The incident traces back to the petition on the broken idol of Lord Vishnu at Khajuraho’s Javari (Vaman) Temple. On 16 September, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking restoration of the seven-foot-tall headless idol. At the time, CJI Gavai reportedly remarked, ‘Go and ask God to do it Himself. You say you are a staunch devotee; go and pray to him’. After backlash, on 18 September, the CJI clarified that his comments had been misrepresented on social media and reiterated his respect for all religions. Justice K. Vinod Chandran, who was on the bench, described social media as ‘anti-social media’. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended the CJI, saying he visits all religious sites and that social media tends to exaggerate. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal agreed, adding that online overreactions have become a challenge for the legal fraternity. Calls for restraint VHP National President Alok Kumar urged restraint, saying, ‘The judiciary is a temple of justice. Our society trusts the courts, and it is everyone’s duty, litigants, lawyers, and judges alike, to uphold that trust and speak responsibly.’ A month on, the courtroom chaos has turned into a spiritual episode, with the accused lawyer meditating at the very temple that sparked his outrage, seeking, as he says, peace and divine forgiveness. See 4 pictures of Jawari Temple…