Lawyers protest outside BCI office, demand Chairman Manan Mishra’s resignation amid NALSAR row

Lawyers protest outside BCI office, demand Chairman Manan Mishra's resignation against the backdrop of NALSAR row One of the protestors, Advocate Umesh Kumar, questioned the Chairman's record on lawyer welfare; he accused Mr.

Key points

• Lawyers stage a protest against the Chairman of Bar Council of India outside BCI office in New Delhi on August 20, 2026.
• #WATCH Delhi Advocate Raman Sharma notes, It is fine if the Cockroach Janta Party has backed us-that is well and good.
• There are claims that 35% to 40% of the individuals in this profession are fake lawyers.
• One of the protestors, Advocate Raman Sharma, clarified that despite backing from CJP, the movement was driven by the legal fraternity itself.
• Name one thing the BCI Chairman has done for the welfare of law students or lawyers.

Lawyers stage a protest against the Chairman of Bar Council of India outside BCI office in New Delhi on August 20, 2026. Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap.

Days after the NALSAR students controversy, a group of lawyers on Thursday (August 20, 2026) staged a protest outside the office of the Bar Council of India (BCI) demanding the resignation of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.

Heavy police presence was deployed near the BCI office in view of the demonstration. It was called by the All India Young Advocates Association and backed by the Cockroach Janta Party.

Meanwhile, the protestors raised slogans and held placards, asking for Mr. Resignation and accountability.

After a student campaign over recent judicial developments and the invitation to CJI Surya Kant to their convocation, the protest began after the Bar Council of India (BCI) on August 13 ordered State Bar Councils not to enrol Hyderabad's NALSAR varsity's 2026 graduating batch.

After criticism, the BCI afterwards withdrew the proceedings, saying most students were innocent. CJI Kant subsequently termed the BCI order "absolutely unnecessary", and upheld the students' right to protest and barred punitive action against NALSAR students or faculty. The episode additionally triggered concern over the BCI's power to impose a blanket enrolment freeze on an entire graduating batch.

One of the protestors, Advocate Raman Sharma, clarified that despite backing from CJP, the movement was driven by the legal fraternity itself. "It is fine if the Cockroach Janta Party has backed us-that is well and good. Our own fraternity certainly should have thought concerning it. Nevertheless, this is strictly a movement by advocates against our own apex body to address the shortcomings within the organisation and press for our legitimate demands, " he stated.

Questioning the Chairman Mr. Misra's long tenure, Mr. Sharma remarked, "The Chairman has held his position for 14 years; what has he actually done for the legal fraternity.The All India Young Lawyers Association are demanding the BCI Chairman's resignation. We are making the same demand."

Another demonstrator, Advocate Umesh Kumar, held the Constitution in his hand and questioned the Chairman's record on lawyer welfare, pointing out that crime against lawyers is a common occurrence. He accused Mr. Mishra of spearheading "political agendas" while staying silent on problems of lawyers.

"Name one thing the BCI Chairman has done for the welfare of law students or lawyers. Lawyers are attacked daily and are being murdered inside police stations. Lately, a senior lawyer died in Hyderabad. Did he matter any official statement regarding that? He remains silent when it comes to our welfare, yet he is always at the forefront of advancing political agendas–often misusing official BCI letters to do so, " he remarked.

Mr. Kumar remarked the protest's core demands centred on structural matters within the profession, stating, "The problems here concern lawyer welfare, the Advocates Act, stipends, chambers, our well-being, and the need for control over law colleges-especially regarding fake law colleges and degrees. There are claims that 35% to 40% of the individuals in this profession are fake lawyers."

#WATCH Delhi Advocate Raman Sharma notes, It is fine if the Cockroach Janta Party has backed us-that is well and good. Our own fraternity certainly should have thought regarding it. Nevertheless, this is strictly a movement by advocates against our own apex body to address the.

For now, lawyers protest outside BCI office, demand Chairman Manan Mishra's resignation amid NALSAR remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.