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'Lawyers can't be cockroaches': BCI Chairman Manan Mishra says he won't quit, fumes at CJP
BCI Chairman Manan Mishra rejected the use of the term ‘legal cockroaches’ for advocates, and also said he was elected to the post and won't resign.
Bar Council of India (BCI) chief Manan Kumar Mishra on Friday dismissed calls for his resignation, a demand also backed by Abhijeet Dipke's Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). His remarks came days after the CJP announced support for a protest at BCI, New Delhi seeking Mishra's resignation and called on “legal cockroaches” to join in.
The Rajya Sabha MP also rejected the use of this term for advocates and said: "Don't you dare use the term "legal cockroaches" ever again. I am telling you this. A lawyer cannot be a cockroach. Lawyers belong to a respected class; they are a highly intelligent group."
The Bar Council Chair also said that anyone who holds the post is not merely appointed but elected to lead the role. He said that he represents 25 lakh lawyers and won't step down over some demands on social media. “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 was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Why are people demanding Manan Mishra's resignation?
At the centre of this demand is an order directing to freeze the enrolment of the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University, Hyderabad as advocates. Mishra issued the order in response to some NALSAR University students objecting to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as chief guest for the convocation ceremony.
The Bar Council withdrew its order within hours after the matter sparked backlash. However, the outrage didn't stop, with the CJP issuing a call for Manan Mishra's resignation as BCI Chair.
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das had said: “Moral responsibility commands that Manan Kumar Mishra resigns. Cockroaches both inside and outside courts should ensure this happens,” he wrote on X.
Earlier this week, the CJP backed the All India Young Advocates Association’s protest call seeking Mishra’s resignation, and Abhijeet Dipke called on all “legal cockroaches” to join the cause.
‘Won’ resign': Manan Mishra
Reacting to the briefly standing order against NALSAR students, Manan Kumar Mishra told news agency ANI that the directive was revoked with 15 minutes and students' grievances were addressed.
“Seizing this opportunity, members of the Aam Aadmi Party and the so-called CJP group began demanding Manan Mishra's resignation.... I have served as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India for 12 to 14 years because I was elected... Manan Mishra represents 25 lakh lawyers; he will not step down simply,” he was quoted as saying by ANI.
His remarks came a day after members of different Bar Associations of Delhi gathered outside the BCI office in New Delhi, demanding his resignation over several issues concerning the legal fraternity.
Also Read: ‘Ought to have resigned’: Bombay Bar Association on BCI chairman Manan Mishra's apology
According to an ANI, among the protesting lawyers' primary concerns are Mishra's long tenure as BCI chairman, 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.
