Lawyers gathered outside the Bar Council of India headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday, demanding the immediate resignation of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in a demonstration that highlights deepening discontent within the legal community.
The protest was directly triggered by the NALSAR controversy, in which the BCI decided to restrict the enrollment of the 2026 graduating batch of the prominent Hyderabad-based law university. The decision drew widespread criticism before the council reversed course and withdrew the order, but the episode has left a lasting mark on confidence in the body's leadership.
Protesters alleged that notices and orders are being issued at the chairman's personal discretion and that official BCI letterheads are being used to advance political agendas. They characterised the NALSAR episode as a clear example of arbitrary decision-making at the top of India's premier legal regulatory body.
Beyond demanding Mishra's resignation, demonstrators called for broad institutional reforms, stronger advocate protection frameworks, and comprehensive health and insurance welfare measures for legal professionals.
Cockroach Janata Party spokesperson Saurabh Das expressed support for the protesting advocates and their demand for the chairman's removal.
Legal experts noted that dissatisfaction extends well beyond Delhi, with discontent reported across state bar councils and premier law universities. A key concern raised is the restriction on advocates' right to protest, with observers pointing to broader questions over institutional governance, accountability, and the independence of the regulatory body that represents India's legal profession.
