A group of lawyers staged a protest on August 20 outside the Bar Council of India (BCI) office in New Delhi, seeking the resignation of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. This demonstration followed a recent controversy involving students at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) in Hyderabad. The protest was organised by the All India Young Advocates Association, with backing from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Heavy police presence surrounded the area due to potential escalations during the protest.

Protestors were vocal, chanting slogans and holding placards demanding Mishra’s accountability and resignation. The unrest was triggered by a BCI directive on August 13, which ordered State Bar Councils not to enrol the graduating batch of 2026 from NALSAR after students protested recent judicial developments and invited Chief Justice Surya Kant to their convocation.

Following public backlash, the BCI retracted its initial order, suggesting many students were not involved in the controversy. Chief Justice Kant later described the BCI’s decision as “absolutely unnecessary,” reasserting students’ rights to protest without fear of retribution.

Concerns Raised by Protestors

Among the protestors, Advocate Raman Sharma underscored that despite the endorsement from the CJP, the demonstration was primarily the legal fraternity’s initiative. He questioned Mishra’s effectiveness during his lengthy tenure of 14 years, asking, “What has he actually done for the legal fraternity?” Sharma reiterated the demand for Mishra’s resignation as part of the wider grievances of the All India Young Lawyers Association.

Another protestor, Advocate Umesh Kumar, emphasised concerns regarding lawyer welfare, highlighting ongoing violence against legal professionals. Kumar accused Mishra of focusing on “political agendas” rather than addressing critical issues affecting lawyers. He pointed to a recent incident where a senior lawyer was killed in Hyderabad, questioning Mishra’s silence on such matters. Kumar insisted that the protest aimed to address significant structural issues affecting the legal profession.

Kumar further elaborated on the protest’s objectives, stating that issues concerning the welfare of lawyers, the Advocates Act, and the proliferation of fake law colleges were paramount. He claimed that 35 per cent to 40 per cent of individuals in the profession might be operating without proper credentials, asserting a need for strict oversight in legal education.

Responses from Legal Bodies and Leadership

The day before the demonstration, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das expressed support for the protest, stressing the importance of accountability. He noted that the Bombay Bar Association had also called for Mishra’s resignation, reflecting broader discontent within the legal community. According to Das, uniting following the “Legal Cockroaches” signifies an attempt to address urgent issues within the BCI and hold its leadership accountable.

In previous statements, Manan Kumar Mishra had apologised to law students who felt offended by his comments related to the NALSAR situation, urging them to evaluate the issue independently regarding their participation in the convocation. The protest reflects a growing sentiment within the legal profession regarding the need for reform and accountability at the highest levels of the BCI.

As the protest unfolded, the overarching aim appears to be ensuring the legal community’s concerns are addressed and establishing clearer pathways for improvement within the BCI and its operations.

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