The lawyers at the northeast Delhi Karkardooma court enter their fifth day of strike as they gathered wearing black coats, but not to represent any client. The lawyers across Delhi’s lower courts have been abstaining from work in protest against the recent draft of the Advocates (Amendment) Bill proposed by the Union Law Ministry. The bill will prohibit advocates from boycotting and abstaining from court work.
Advocate Raman Sharma, the Shahadra Bar Associates secretary, who is also leading the protest, said “We will not stand still if our rights are down.” The protest saw lawyers burning an effigy that had ‘Kala Kanoon Vapas lo’ written on it with black paint while they chanted ‘Vakkil Ekta Zindabad’.
Why The Strike?
This strike is part of an organised and coordinated protest by all district Court bar associations across Delhi in the lower courts. Lawyers have unanimously abstained from working to protest against the proposed ‘unjust, unfair, and biased’ bill.
Their joint circular released on Monday last week stated that “The proposed bill is not only against the unity, integrity and dignity of advocates but also is draconian in nature. It will directly affect the autonomy of all bar associations and bar councils”
The new draft will also allow lawyers to only participate in a strike when it does not impede the administration of justice. Strikes intended to bring attention to legitimate concerns about professional conduct, working conditions or administrative matters might not be able to get recognition.
