Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention following the shoe-hurling incident targeting Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai has drawn attention not just for its message of institutional respect but also for its deeper political resonance ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.
Before issuing a public post condemning the act as “inconsistent with dignity,” the Prime Minister personally called CJI Gavai to inquire about the incident. In his message, he praised the Chief Justice’s composure and restraint during the episode.
The move carried two key messages: first, that the government considers the attack not as a minor offence but as an assault on the institution of the judiciary; and second, that it seeks to defend both the office and the personal identity of the CJI — in this case, his Dalit and Buddhist background.
This assertive response comes amid the election season in Bihar, where the Scheduled Caste (SC) population plays a decisive role. As per the 2023 Bihar caste survey, SCs account for 19.65% of the population, a significant rise from 15.9% in 2011. Any perception of insensitivity towards a Dalit figure of national stature could have political ramifications.
Justice BR Gavai is the first Supreme Court judge from the Scheduled Caste community to become Chief Justice of India since KG Balakrishnan’s retirement in 2010. His father, RS Gavai, was a noted Ambedkarite leader who embraced Buddhism alongside Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1956, embedding a deep Dalit-Buddhist ideological legacy in the family.
A perceived attack on Justice Gavai, therefore, risks being interpreted not only as disrespect to a constitutional position but also as an affront to Dalit and Buddhist communities. Bihar, notably, has a Buddhist population of over 1.1 lakh, concentrated mainly in Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas, and Gaya districts, where sentiments around such issues could influence electoral outcomes.
The BJP, recognising the sensitivity, deployed its national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi late Tuesday night to reiterate the Prime Minister’s message.
“The BJP condemns the way CJI was treated. Every Indian is hurt. PM Modi expressed his disappointment and appreciated how the CJI maintained composure and faith in constitutional values,” Trivedi said.
By swiftly reaching out and publicly expressing solidarity, the Prime Minister underscored his government’s commitment to constitutional respect and social inclusivity, while also sending a politically significant signal to Dalit and Buddhist voters in poll-bound Bihar.
