BCI chairman Mishra refuses to resign after NALSAR enrollment block
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra is staying put, even after protests broke out over his brief order blocking NALSAR University's 2026 law graduates from enrolling as advocates.
The move came after students objected to Chief Justice Surya Kant attending their convocation, but Mishra reversed the order just 15 minutes later; still, it sparked major backlash from lawyers and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
Mishra cites 25L lawyers, defends record
The CJP and young advocates demanded Mishra step down, but he called their demands "Do you want to make a mockery of an institution like the Bar Council of India? Do you think you can force the resignation of the Chairman of the Bar Council of India, who represents 2.5 to 2.6 million people across the country, simply by circulating frivolous posts on social media?"
He said, "A lawyer cannot be a cockroach. Lawyers belong to a respected class; they are a highly intelligent group," adding that he represents 25 lakh lawyers nationwide.
Protesters also raised issues about alleged lack of advocate welfare schemes, non-implementation of an Advocate Protection Act, and a proposed increase in the registration fee for lawyers at the State Bar Council, but Mishra defended his record and refused to resign.