Vijayapura experienced a significant shutdown on Wednesday as numerous organizations organized a protest, or ‘bandh’, in response to a lawyer’s attempt to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai. The city’s streets were unusually quiet, with most shops and businesses, including wholesale and retail complexes like Lal Bahadur Shastri Market and K.C. Market, remaining closed. Only essential services such as fuel stations, hospitals, and banks continued their operations. Public transport, including NWKRTC buses, private buses, and taxis, stayed off the roads, though some private vehicles and autorickshaws were seen. Typically bustling areas like the Central Bus Stand and Gandhi Circle appeared deserted, highlighting the widespread participation in the protest.
Demonstrators took to the main streets of Vijayapura, marching in a powerful rally. They lit tires near Athani Road Cross as a symbol of their outrage and chanted slogans condemning the lawyer’s action against the CJI. The procession began near the Sri Siddeshwar Temple, moved through Gandhi Circle and Basaveshwara Circle, and concluded with a public gathering at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Circle. Following the meeting, a memorandum detailing their demands was submitted to the State government via the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
A notable aspect of the protest was the presence of placards displaying ‘We Stand with Priyank Kharge.’ These placards indicated support for Priyank Kharge, who had previously advocated for a ban on RSS activities in public and government educational institutions.
Former MLA Raju Alagur expressed his dismay over the incident, stating, “I am upset that a lawyer hurled a shoe at the CJI, seemingly to avenge an alleged insult to Sanatana Dharma.” He also voiced disappointment that many progressive thinkers had not strongly condemned the attack. Alagur further criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that while Modi condemned the incident, he did not specify any actions against the accused. “Everyone should condemn this incident,” Alagur urged, “as it is not just an attack on an individual, but an affront to the Constitution and the judiciary.” He drew parallels between this incident and historical attacks on progressive figures, mentioning B.R. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, and Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse, alluding to a recurring ‘Sanatana Dharma ideology.’ Alagur also highlighted perceived hypocrisy among BJP and Sangh Parivar members who, despite outwardly respecting Dr. Ambedkar, consistently undermine his principles. He concluded by asserting that people from deprived classes, including IPS officers, continue to face discrimination.
Abdul Hamid Mushrif, a KPCC member, called for severe punishment for the individual who threw the shoe, suggesting he “should be hanged in front of the court.” He questioned the silence of various legislators and political leaders on the matter, emphasizing the importance of protecting the Constitution, which he credited to Dr. Ambedkar, as the foundation of dignified life for all citizens.
AHINDA leader Somnath Kalmani demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident, alleging that the Sangh Parivar’s ideology has infiltrated other political parties, including the Congress, where some members secretly support and fund RSS and its affiliates. He called for these leaders to be exposed. Kalmani linked the attack on the CJI to the same ideology responsible for the killings of prominent progressive thinkers M.M. Kalburgi and Gouri Lankesh.
The bandh received broad support, having been organized by a coalition of Dalit, progressive, liberal, farmers’, women’s, and labor organizations.