A group of young lawyers is set to hold a protest against Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on Thursday, demanding his resignation over the controversy surrounding the Council's move against the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. The All India Young Advocates Association (AIYAA) has called the demonstration for 10 am on August 20, with participants adopting the description “legal cockroaches” that has gained currency during recent youth-led protests.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das announced his support for the demonstration on Wednesday, saying the organisation backed peaceful protests seeking accountability from people holding public office. The latest protest call follows days of criticism of Mishra after the BCI briefly ordered a freeze on the enrolment of NALSAR's entire 2026 graduating batch as advocates before withdrawing the restriction within hours.
NALSAR order sparked row
The controversy began after some NALSAR students opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant's proposed participation in their convocation. The BCI initially directed State Bar Councils not to enrol any student from NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch until further orders. It also sought a report from the university identifying students who had initiated, organised or mobilised the campaign concerning the CJI's invitation.
The sweeping nature of the order immediately triggered criticism, with opponents arguing that an entire graduating class could not be penalised for the actions or views of some students. The CJP was among those that publicly challenged the decision. Its founder Abhijeet Dipke responded by asking what would happen if all “legal cockroaches” came together, while Das warned of protests by law students, lawyers and supporters if the restriction was not withdrawn.
Within hours, the BCI reversed the decision and said all members of the graduating batch would be free to enrol with State Bar Councils of their choice. The Council said the majority of NALSAR students were innocent and had not intended to participate in any action showing disrespect.
CJI questioned BCI intervention
The BCI's intervention also drew criticism from Chief Justice Surya Kant himself. Reacting to the controversy, the CJI questioned why the Bar Council had intervened in what he described as a matter between himself and the students. His remarks further intensified scrutiny of the Council's original decision and strengthened demands that responsibility be fixed for the order.
Mishra subsequently sought to defuse the controversy, saying the interests of the BCI and those raising concerns for students were essentially the same. He also indicated that he was willing to speak with Dipke and other CJP representatives. The withdrawal, however, has not ended demands for accountability.
Bombay Bar Association seeks resignation
The Bombay Bar Association has also criticised Mishra's handling of the episode and called for his resignation. In a communication dated August 18, the association condemned the action taken against NALSAR students and said Mishra's subsequent apology did not amount to a genuine expression of remorse.
The association maintained that the BCI chairman should have resigned from his position following the controversy. The intervention of a prominent lawyers' body has added weight to the campaign against Mishra and broadened the controversy beyond student groups and online activists.
CJP backs peaceful demonstration
Das said the CJP supported the protest called by the young advocates' association and backed peaceful action that sought accountability and high standards of conduct in public office. The use of the phrase “legal cockroaches” links Thursday's proposed demonstration with the wider Cockroach Janta Party movement.
The phrase emerged after CJI Surya Kant's earlier “cockroaches” remark, following which Dipke posed the question online: “What if all the cockroaches come together?” The expression subsequently became part of the identity of a youth-led movement involved in protests over examination and accountability issues. In the NALSAR controversy, Dipke adapted the slogan specifically to lawyers and law students by referring to “legal cockroaches”.
Pressure continues despite BCI U-turn
The protest indicates that the BCI's quick withdrawal of its enrolment restriction has not brought the controversy to a close.
Critics are now focusing less on whether the NALSAR graduates will be allowed to practise law — an issue resolved by the withdrawal — and more on how such a collective restriction came to be issued in the first place.
With the Bombay Bar Association calling for Mishra's resignation and the AIYAA preparing to demonstrate on Thursday, pressure on the BCI chairman has continued to build.
The Council, meanwhile, has maintained that the revised decision protects the interests of the students and allows the entire 2026 graduating batch to enrol as advocates.
Thursday's protest is expected to keep the focus on demands for accountability over the original order even though the restriction itself is no longer in force.