When Even the CJI Isn’t Safe: Hari Om’s Lynching Tells the Rest

The shocking incident of an attempted assault on the Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai inside his courtroom has shaken the nation. That such acts can be carried out in the name of “Sanatan” reflects the disturbing climate of impunity prevailing in India today. While this may appear to be an isolated incident, it is far from simple. The CJI BR Gavai’s decision not to press charges against the criminal lawyer involved does not erase the deeper malaise—the normalisation of hate, now the most powerful and lethal weapon wielded by hate mongers.

Although the BJP’s top leadership, including the Prime Minister, has condemned the attack, the way hate influencers have turned this into a meme fest on social media is deeply alarming. These posts are not merely justifying the assault but glorifying it. Who is promoting and amplifying these narratives? Will the authorities—particularly the Home Ministry—have the courage to investigate and act against these hate influencers? What stops the government from taking decisive action against these criminals?

At the same time, we must confront the casteist undercurrents that fuel such hostility. Those angered by the CJI’s rejection of certain petitions are often driven by deep-seated caste prejudice. Many of these lawyers thrive on manufacturing controversies; there is an entire ecosystem built around exploiting the legal system to prolong communal and caste disputes. Having stirred up cases around Kashi and Mathura, they now seek to “dig” into every site and every issue, weaponizing faith and legality to serve hate.

Once, the law was India’s greatest strength—our shield against injustice. Today, it has become a tool in the hands of the privileged, a weapon of the dominant to preserve the status quo and suppress the marginalised. Justice, for the ordinary citizen, feels more distant than ever.

What the Chief Justice faced was not a mere outburst—it was caste hatred. The fact that it is being “celebrated” on social media speaks volumes. The same hate mongers who abuse Dalits, Adivasis, and Muslims are now glorifying an attack on the head of the judiciary—and nothing happens to them. They know well that in the name of “Sanatan,” they can say or do anything and still escape accountability.

Hari Om’s Lynching: The Real Face of ‘Sanatan Justice’

This is why the Supreme Court must take up the case of Hari Om, who was brutally lynched just yesterday. The Court should order a comprehensive probe into caste crimes and hate crimes—go to the roots, enforce its own judgments, and ensure genuine implementation.

Tragically, the case of Hari Om has also exposed the hypocrisy of political parties and many so-called Bahujan intellectuals. The Samajwadi Party chief, Akhilesh Yadav, who never misses a chance to comment on stray cattle, has maintained a shameful silence. The Bahujan Samaj Party, too, has not spoken officially, despite a few sympathisers expressing concern online. The Congress has issued a tepid response, appearing hesitant and half-hearted. Are they all afraid of alienating caste groups implicated in the violence? Their silence is nothing short of atrocious.

Both the attack on the Chief Justice of India and the mob killing of Hari Om are caste crimes committed by those shouting victory slogans of “Sanatan Dharma.” The same ecosystem that glorifies hate is celebrating these incidents.

I do not expect much from political parties that operate purely on electoral calculations. But what explains the silence of intellectuals and activists who claim to stand for justice and equality? The Supreme Court must intervene, order a full investigation, and ensure that such caste-driven hate crimes are neither ignored nor repeated.