Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Wednesday announced support for a protest against Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, saying that the “Legal Cockroaches” had united to demand his resignation. The protest has been called by the All India Young Advocates Association and is scheduled to be held tomorrow at 10 AM.
“Seems like the Legal Cockroaches have united,” Das said, announcing support for the demonstration in a post on social media platform X. He added that he supports any form of peaceful protest that seeks accountability and upholds high standards of conduct for those holding public office.
The development comes amid growing calls for Mishra‘s resignation. The Bombay Bar Association also called for the BCI chairman‘s resignation on Wednesday.
Bombay Bar Association Calls BCI Chairman’s Apology Belated
The Bombay Bar Association criticised Mishra over his August 13 communication against students of NALSAR University of Law, calling his subsequent apology “belated” and stating that he ought to resign from the post.
In a letter dated August 18, the BBA said Mishra’s August 15 apology could not be regarded as an expression of “true remorse” as he continued to hold the position of BCI Chairman despite his conduct.
The BBA’s Standing Committee met on August 17 and 18 to deliberate on the events between August 13 and 15. The committee described Mishra’s August 13 communication as an “abuse” of the office of the BCI Chairman, noting that the students had not been given an opportunity to be heard before the action was taken.
The association said the communication had caused “grave prejudice” to the professional careers of the NALSAR students graduating in 2026.
The BBA, however, welcomed the BCI’s subsequent decision to drop all proceedings against the students, calling it “a step in the right direction” that helped restore faith in the Bar Council of India.
The controversy began on August 13 when Mishra directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol students from NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch as advocates. The action followed reports that some outgoing students had opposed inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to the university’s convocation over his remarks concerning NEET student protests in Delhi.