India, Oct. 7 -- The attempted shoe attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai during a Supreme Court proceeding on Monday has drawn strong condemnation from political leaders across the country, who called it an assault on the judiciary and the Constitution itself.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge described the incident as "an attack on our judiciary and the rule of law". "When a sitting Chief Justice who rose to the nation's highest judicial office through merit, integrity, and perseverance is targeted in such a manner, it sends a deeply disturbing message," Kharge said. "It reflects an attempt to intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution. The safety and security of our judiciary...