A recent attack on Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai has drawn sharp condemnation from various civil rights organizations and writers’ collectives. On Thursday (October 9, 2025), these groups collectively voiced their outrage, describing the incident as a perilous assault on India’s constitutional morality and fundamental democratic values.
This significant statement emerged from a press conference held at the Press Club in Basheerbagh, Hyderabad. The event was a joint effort by the Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII), the Samooha Secular Writers Forum, and the National Justice Political Front – India, highlighting the broad concern across civil society.
Babu Rao, a retired IPS officer and national president of CRII, emphatically called the attack a ‘national shame’ and a direct menace to constitutional morality and social harmony. He emphasized that the assault transcended a mere physical act, striking at the very core spirit of India’s Constitution. Rao questioned the implications, stating, “If the Chief Justice of India is targeted because of his caste, then the safety of every marginalized citizen is at stake.”
Further, Rao criticized the police response, pointing out that only a Zero FIR was lodged, invoking Sections 132 and 133 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He demanded that the case be registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, asserting that the attack was clearly motivated by caste. He reminded attendees that Justice Gavai is only the third Dalit to ever hold the esteemed position of Chief Justice of India, a role that symbolizes the enduring struggle for equality among marginalized communities.
Reports indicate that the assailant, identified as Rakesh Kishore, allegedly chanted “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” (“We will not tolerate insult to Sanatan”) during the incident. Rights activists interpret this as a stark manifestation of escalating religious extremism, designed to erode the nation’s cherished constitutional values.
Mercy Margaret of the Samooha Secular Writers Forum denounced what she termed “manuvadi extremism,” warning that the attack signals a dangerous surge in caste-based and communal fanaticism that imperils India’s democracy. Echoing these concerns, Var Naragoni, chairman of the National Justice Political Front – India, characterized the incident as a disturbing symptom of eroding judicial independence and secular principles.
Speakers at the gathering highlighted that the assault violated several key constitutional provisions. They cited Articles 14, 15, and 21, which guarantee equality, non-discrimination, and the right to life, respectively. Additionally, Article 51A(e), which encourages citizens to foster harmony and reject practices demeaning to disadvantaged groups, was also invoked. The activists further noted India’s international commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
In response to these grave concerns, the organizations urged the Supreme Court to proactively acknowledge the attack through suo motu cognisance and to pursue more stringent legal action under the SC/ST Atrocities Act. They issued a rallying call to all constitutional institutions to steadfastly uphold the judiciary’s dignity and unequivocally reaffirm India’s democratic essence.
Concluding the press conference, Mr. Babu Rao passionately appealed to the youth to champion the ideals 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 asserted.
He reinforced his message by quoting former President S. Radhakrishnan, adding, “A democracy is distinguished by the protection it gives to minorities. If that fails, democracy itself is in peril.”