Less than a month after the Jantar Mantar protest in Delhi that ended with Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is backing another protest in the national
capital — this time demanding the resignation of Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
The protest, however, has not been called by the CJP. It has been organised by the All India Young Advocates Association (AIYAA), with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, national spokesperson Saurav Das, legal affairs head Ratna Singh and leader Ashutosh Ranka extending support.
At the heart of the latest agitation is the BCI’s now-withdrawn action against graduating students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and the subsequent criticism Mishra faced from Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and sections of the legal fraternity.
So, why is Mishra facing calls to resign even after the BCI withdrew its order and he apologised?
What Triggered The Row At NALSAR?
The controversy began after some NALSAR students wrote to the university’s vice-chancellor, registrar and professors opposing a proposal to invite CJI Surya Kant as chief guest for the university’s convocation.
The BCI then directed state bar councils not to enrol students from NALSAR’s current graduating batch as advocates until further orders.
According to The Times of India, Mishra said the council was examining allegations surrounding a campaign against the CJI’s participation in the convocation and had sought a report identifying those allegedly responsible.
The order quickly drew criticism from members of the legal fraternity and on social media. The BCI withdrew it within hours and later issued a modified order clarifying that the “vast majority” of students were innocent and should not be made to suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few.
CJI Surya Kant’s Intervention Intensified The Backlash
The matter took a sharper turn after CJI Surya Kant criticised the Bar Council’s intervention.
The Chief Justice said the BCI had “no business” getting involved in the students’ right to protest and made it clear that students could not be prevented from raising concerns through lawful and peaceful means. “It is a dialogue between students and me. No one else has to step in,” he said.
His remarks added to the criticism already facing Mishra and shifted the debate from the withdrawal of the order to the question of accountability.
Mishra Apologised, But Calls For His Resignation Continued
Mishra subsequently apologised to law students in a statement issued on Independence Day. “If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same,” he said.
He also maintained that peaceful protest and disagreement were part of a constitutional democracy and said attending or abstaining from a convocation was ultimately a student’s choice.
But the apology did not end the controversy.
The NALSAR Student Bar Council sought a public apology from Mishra, while graduating students, current students and alumni of NLSIU, Bengaluru, also issued a joint statement seeking an apology and opposing the presence of both Mishra and the CJI at their convocation.
CJP national spokesperson Saurav Das also said the Bombay Bar Association had called for Mishra’s resignation.
Why CJP Is Backing The Protest
Das had called for Mishra to step down after the CJI criticised the BCI’s intervention. “Moral responsibility commands that Manan Kumar Mishra resigns. Cockroaches both inside and outside courts should ensure this happens,” he wrote on X.
The demand gathered momentum after the All India Young Advocates Association called a protest seeking Mishra’s resignation. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke urged lawyers to join the demonstration, writing: “Manan, it’s done bro! All legal cockroaches must join this protest.”
Manan, it’s done bro!
All legal cockroaches must join this protest. https://t.co/EwYBPGeaSg
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) August 19, 2026
Das also backed the protest while making it clear that it had been called by AIYAA. “The protest has been called by the All India Young Advocates Association. I support any form of peaceful protest that seeks accountability and sets high standards for conduct in office,” he said.
CJP legal affairs head Ratna Singh echoed the call for accountability. “Legal Cockroaches are coming together tomorrow to demand accountability from the BCI Chairman,” she wrote on X.
“In a democracy, 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,” Singh added.
CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka also backed the mobilisation, writing: “Legal cockroaches unite.”
The AIYAA protest is scheduled for 10 am on Thursday outside the Bar Council of India office in New Delhi, with CJP leaders urging members of the legal fraternity to participate.
