New Delhi, 20 August (H.S.):

Demands for the resignation of Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra have intensified following a controversial circular concerning the enrolment of final-year law students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad. A group of lawyers staged a protest outside the BCI office on Thursday, while the All India Lawyers Union (AILU) has announced a nationwide protest on August 21 seeking Mishra's resignation.

The protesting lawyers gathered outside the BCI office at Rouse Avenue in New Delhi. They alleged that Mishra's decisions were not in the interests of the legal fraternity and questioned the continuation of his tenure as BCI chairman.

Raman Sharma, former secretary of the Shahdara Bar Association, questioned how a person could continue indefinitely as chairman of the BCI.

In a statement issued by AILU National General Secretary and senior Supreme Court lawyer P.V. Surendranath, the organisation said its National Council meeting held in Kochi on August 16 had criticised what it described as Mishra's arbitrary and undemocratic decision.

The AILU alleged that Mishra's action had undermined the dignity and autonomy of the BCI and demanded his immediate resignation. As part of the campaign, lawyers affiliated with the organisation across the country are scheduled to stage protests demanding Mishra's removal.

The controversy began on August 13, when the BCI issued a circular bearing the signature of Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. The circular directed that final-year students of NALSAR who had opposed the participation of the Chief Justice of India in their proposed convocation ceremony should not be enrolled as advocates.

The circular triggered strong opposition from sections of the legal community soon after it was issued.

N. Manoj Kumar, a member of the Kerala Bar Council and the BCI, wrote to Mishra expressing his opposition to the decision. The AILU and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also criticised the circular and demanded its withdrawal.

Amid mounting criticism, Mishra withdrew the August 13 directive preventing the students from being enrolled as advocates. However, the matter had already drawn strong disapproval from Chief Justice Surya Kant, who criticised the BCI's position and said it was completely wrong.

The Chief Justice reportedly questioned the BCI's involvement in the dispute, observing that the matter concerned the law students and the Chief Justice and asking what role the BCI had in raising the issue.

Mishra later apologised to the students following the controversy. Despite the withdrawal of the circular and his apology, the issue has continued to escalate, with lawyers now intensifying their demand for his resignation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar