Attack on CJI Gavai ‘a dangerous assault on idea of constitutional morality’, say rights groups urging suo motu response

Civil rights organisations and writers’ collectives on Thursday (October 9, 2025) condemned the recent attack on Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai, calling it a dangerous assault on the idea of constitutional morality and democratic values.

The statement was made at a press conference held at the Press Club, Basheerbagh in Hyderabad, jointly organised by the Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII), Samooha Secular Writers Forum, and the National Justice Political Front – India.

Babu Rao, IPS (Retd), national president of CRII, described the attack as a ‘national shame’ and “a direct threat to constitutional morality and social harmony.” He said the assault was not merely physical but an attack on the very spirit of India’s Constitution. “If the Chief Justice of India is targeted because of his caste, then the safety of every marginalised citizen is at stake,” he said.

He criticised the police response, noting that only a Zero FIR was filed under Sections 132 and 133 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Mr. Rao demanded that the case be registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, citing the caste-based motivation behind the assault. He reminded that the Justice Gavai is only the third Dalit to hold the post of Chief Justice of India, a position symbolising the long struggle of marginalised communities for equality.

The panel said that as per reports, the attacker, identified as Rakesh Kishore, shouted “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” (“We will not tolerate insult to Sanatan”) during the attack. Rights activists described the incident as a manifestation of rising religious extremism aimed at undermining constitutional values.

Mercy Margaret of the Samooha Secular Writers Forum condemned what she termed “manuvadi extremism” and warned that the attack reflected a growing wave of caste and communal fanaticism threatening India’s democracy. Var Naragoni, chairman of the National Justice Political Front – India, said the incident was symptomatic of the erosion of judicial independence and secular principles.

Speakers at the event pointed out that the attack violated several constitutional provisions, including Articles 14, 15, and 21, which guarantee equality, non-discrimination, and the right to life, as well as Article 51A(e), which urges citizens to promote harmony and renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of disadvantaged groups. They also cited India’s international obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The organisations urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the attack and initiate stronger legal action under the SC/ST Atrocities Act. They called upon constitutional institutions to uphold the dignity of the judiciary and reaffirm India’s democratic soul.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Babu Rao appealed to the youth to defend the vision of B. R. Ambedkar. “India must not be built on the foundation of fanaticism. We must reclaim Ambedkar’s vision of democracy, fraternity, and justice. Casteism and communalism have no place in modern India,” he said.

Quoting former President S. Radhakrishnan, he added, “A democracy is distinguished by the protection it gives to minorities. If that fails, democracy itself is in peril.”