New Delhi: Within weeks of the Jantar Mantar agitation in New Delhi that ended with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan stepping down, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is lending its backing to another demonstration in the capital — this one aimed at forcing Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to quit.
On Thursday, the All India Young Advocates Association (AIYAA) announced the protest, with prominent CJP leaders — Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka — voicing their backing. The announcement comes as the BCI chief remains caught in the midst of a growing controversy over his actions in the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, students’ row, as reported by DNA.
What Triggered CJP’s Support
Mishra has drawn sharp criticism over an order that hit NALSAR students and froze the enrolment of law graduates as advocates “until further orders”. The BCI chief’s directive came after a section of NALSAR students wrote to the vice-chancellor, registrar and faculty members, raising objections to any plan to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest at the convocation.
Within hours of the order triggering outrage on social media — and a threat of protest from CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke — the Bar Council rolled back its directive.
The CJI also took the BCI to task over the episode and questioned the Council’s role in the matter. The chief justice said the Council had “no business” getting involved in the students’ right to protest.
He also made it clear that students must be free to voice their concerns through peaceful, lawful protests — and that such expression cannot be curtailed.
Facing mounting flak, Mishra later issued an apology to law students in a statement released on Independence Day. He admitted that the recent turn of events had left students worried and expressed remorse if any of his remarks or communications had hurt their feelings.
Voices Calling For Mishra’s Exit
Following the CJI’s criticism of the BCI, Das demanded the resignation of the Bar Council of India chairman. He said “cockroaches both inside and outside” should make sure it happens.
“Moral responsibility commands that Manan Kumar Mishra resigns. Cockroaches both inside and outside courts should ensure this happens,” he wrote on X.
The CJP has now thrown its weight behind the AIYAA’s protest call seeking Mishra’s resignation over his actions against the students.
“Manan, it’s done bro! All legal cockroaches must join this protest,” Dipke wrote on X on Wednesday.
Das, for his part, said he supported every form of peaceful protest that “seeks accountability and sets high standards for conduct in office.”
“Legal cockroaches unite,” Ranka posted on X.
Ratna Singh, the Cockroach Janta Party’s legal affairs head, threw her weight behind the protest, asserting that every form of “peaceful protest is legitimate and welcome.” “The legal fraternity must recognise that every voice matters and that demanding answers and accountability is not only our right, but our responsibility,” she added.
Time & Venue Of Protest
The demonstration by “legal cockroaches” will be held from 10 am today outside the Bar Council of India office in New Delhi.