Lawyers rally outside BCI office, seek chairman's exit over NALSAR row
NEW DELHI: A group of lawyers on Thursday staged a protest outside the office of the Bar Council of India (BCI), demanding the resignation of its chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra. The demonstration came days after the council withdrew an order that had sought to block the enrolment of NALSAR University's graduating batch, a decision that drew sharp criticism from legal circles.
Heavy police deployment was seen near the BCI premises as protesters raised slogans and held placards calling for greater accountability within the council. The protest was organised by the All India Young Advocates Association and received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a fringe political group.
Advocate Raman Sharma, speaking to news agency ANI, clarified that the movement was driven primarily by lawyers, notwithstanding the CJP's support. "It is fine if the Cockroach Janta Party has supported us—that is well and good. Our own fraternity certainly should have thought about it. However, this is strictly a movement by advocates against our own apex body to address the shortcomings within the organisation and press for our legitimate demands," he said.
Sharma also questioned Mishra's tenure, noting that the chairman has held the position for 14 years. "What has he actually done for the legal fraternity? The All India Young Lawyers Association is demanding the BCI Chairman's resignation. We are making the same demand," he added.
Another protester, Advocate Umesh Kumar, who was seen holding a copy of the Constitution, criticised Mishra's record on lawyer welfare and alleged that the BCI had focused on "political agendas" while issues affecting lawyers remained unaddressed. "Name one thing the BCI Chairman has done for the welfare of law students or lawyers... Lawyers are attacked daily and are being murdered inside police stations. He remains silent when it comes to our welfare, yet he is always at the forefront of advancing political agendas—often misusing official BCI letters to do so," Kumar claimed.
The protesters also highlighted broader professional concerns, including lawyer welfare, stipends, chambers, the Advocates Act and regulation of law colleges. Kumar alleged that "35% to 40% of the people in this profession are fake lawyers."
The demonstration followed the BCI's August 13 order directing State Bar Councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch. The order was issued after a student campaign opposing the invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to the university's convocation. The BCI later withdrew the order, saying the "vast majority" of students were innocent. Mishra also apologised, stating, "If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same."
The Bombay Bar Association has also called for Mishra's resignation, describing his August 15 apology as belated and not a reflection of "true remorse" while he continues as chairman. A day before Thursday's protest, CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had voiced support for the demonstration, backing a peaceful protest seeking accountability.
Chief Justice Surya Kant had earlier called the BCI order "absolutely unnecessary" and supported the students' right to protest. The development has reignited debates about accountability and transparency within the legal profession's regulatory body.
