Lawyers in Delhi protested outside the Bar Council of India office on Thursday to demand the resignation of Chairman Manan Mishra [3].
The demonstration signals a growing rift within India's legal regulatory body, as leadership faces accusations of prioritizing political interests over the welfare of the legal profession.
The protests were triggered by the NALSAR row, a controversy involving students at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research. Beyond the student dispute, protesters raised broader concerns regarding governance, and the concentration of power under Mishra's leadership [1].
Advocate Umesh Kumar, among those protesting, said Mishra is accused of spearheading “political agendas” while staying silent on issues of lawyers [1].
The unrest is not limited to street protesters. BCI co-chairman Y.R. Sadasiva Reddy has also called for the chairman's departure. Reddy said the resignation should happen within 15 days [4].
Reddy's demands are tied to allegations of financial misconduct and nepotism. These claims include the alleged diversion of BCI funds amounting to Rs 150 crore [5]. The BCI represents approximately 25 lakh lawyers across the country [5].
Mishra has rejected the calls for his resignation. He said, "I was elected to represent 25 lakh advocates" [2].
The BCI remains the primary regulator for legal practice and education in India. The current turmoil highlights tensions between the council's administrative leadership and the advocates it is tasked to represent.
“"I demand your resignation within 15 days"”
The conflict within the Bar Council of India reflects a deeper struggle over the independence of legal regulation. By linking a student controversy at NALSAR to allegations of Rs 150 crore in financial irregularities, critics are framing the leadership crisis as a systemic failure of governance rather than a series of isolated disputes.
