Lawyers protest outside BCI office, demand chairman's resignation
Over 200 lawyers protested outside the BCI office in Delhi on August 20, demanding Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra's resignation and electoral reforms.
More than 200 lawyers gathered outside the Bar Council of India (BCI) office in New Delhi on Thursday, demanding the resignation of Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. The protest, organised by the All India Young Advocates Association, comes days after Mr. Mishra apologised to law students over the enrolment ban controversy involving NALSAR.
Protesters, who began their sit-in around 10 a.m., said their demand for Mr. Mishra's resignation was unconditional. Advocate Umesh Kumar described the demonstration as "an initiative by advocates for advocates," adding that the group also wants reforms in the BCI's election process. He noted that Mr. Mishra has held the chairman's post for 14 years, winning repeatedly through the current indirect election system, which the protesters want replaced with direct elections.
Beyond the leadership question, the lawyers raised several long-standing welfare issues. These include the demand for an Advocates Protection Act, insurance coverage for lawyers, stipends for young advocates, and regular inspections of law colleges. Mr. Kumar also alleged that inspection reports for law colleges are not being updated on the BCI website in a timely manner.
Advocate Satvik Sharma pointed to broader concerns about the profession, referencing the chairman's own admission that 30-40% of advocates may be fake. "The legal system is deteriorating day by day," he said, highlighting the poor chambers-to-lawyers ratio and the lack of visible results in advocate welfare. "There is a need for reform," he added.
The Bombay Bar Association had earlier criticised Mr. Mishra's handling of the NALSAR episode in a statement on August 18, calling his apology belated and suggesting he should step down. The protesters have said their sit-in will continue until their demands are addressed.