The news of the attempted shoe attack on Chief Justice of India B R Gavai in the Supreme Court, followed by his statement calling it a "forgotten chapter," struck a chord with me. While the act itself is certainly shocking and regrettable, the sentiment behind his words, and indeed the incident, speaks to a deeper malaise that I've often reflected upon.
My initial reaction was, of course, one of surprise, as articulated in the news reports CJI Shoe Attack: Gavai Calls Incident a 'Forgotten Chapter'. However, beyond the immediate event, I find myself thinking about the fundamental questions it raises regarding public trust and the accessibility of justice. When such extreme acts occur, it's often a symptom of profound frustration, a feeling of being unheard, or a deep-seated dissatisfaction with the system's ability to deliver. In this case, reports suggest the lawyer's grievance stemmed from remarks made during a hearing last month regarding a Vishnu idol. Regardless of the specifics, it highlights the immense pressure and scrutiny the judiciary faces.
This incident, in an unsettling way, echoes some of the concerns I've expressed in my previous writings about the state of our judicial system. For years, I have been highlighting the critical issue of pendency and the profound impact of delayed justice. In blogs like "Justice delayed is Justice Denied" [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2018/10/congratulations.html] and [http://mylinkedinposting.blogspot.com/2019/12/justice-delayed-is-justice-denied.html], I urged for systemic reforms, emphasizing that a backlog of millions of cases is not merely a statistic; it's a denial of fundamental rights. Take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted that a system perceived as slow or unresponsive would eventually face heightened public scrutiny and, potentially, outright frustration.
I also remember discussing the broader need for transparent and efficient governance through technology, particularly in how information is shared and processes are automated. In "CyberCrimes / DigitalIndia / e-Governance" [http://emailothers.blogspot.com/2018/01/cyber-crimes-technology-can-help.html] and "Citizen Monologues" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2017/10/citizen-monologues.html], I spoke about breaking silos and ensuring greater accountability. While not directly about the judiciary, the principle remains: when systems are opaque or perceived as ineffective, public confidence erodes. My earlier insight was that without fundamental shifts towards transparency and efficiency, public discontent could manifest in various forms. It's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is today.
Indeed, in another piece, "Un-Implementable Laws: Unstoppable Corruption" [http://myblogepage.blogspot.com/2018/02/no-takers-no-wonder.html], I explored how poorly conceived or unimplemented policies can lead to a breakdown of trust and unintended consequences. While the shoe attack isn't about parking policy, it does stem from a perceived failure of the system to address a grievance, much like how flawed policies can lead to public disillusionment.
Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation regarding the consistent points I've tried to make about the need for robust, accessible, and transparent institutions. More importantly, I feel a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context. To truly make such incidents a "forgotten chapter," as the CJI hopes, we must proactively address the underlying systemic issues that fuel such extreme expressions of discontent. This calls for a continuous, earnest effort to reform, to listen, and to ensure that justice is not just delivered, but seen to be delivered, efficiently and fairly to all.
Regards,
Hemen Parekh
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