Bar calls all India strike

IMPHAL, June 6: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has decided to call a two-day nationwide strike on July 12-13 to protest against the Higher Education and Research Bill, 2011 introduced by the central government in Rajya Sabha on December 28, 2011.

Sources said a crucial joint meeting of all the advocate representatives was held at the office of Bar Association of India (BCI) at Rouse Avenue, Institutional Area in New Delhi on May 19 during which the leaders aired their voice against the proposed Higher and Research Bill, 2011.

The meeting which was presided over by Manan Kumar Mishra, chairman of BCI was attended by Apurba Kumar, chairman of BCI Executive Committee and Dr Adish C Aggarwal, chairman of BCI, Delhi.

The joint meeting of the members of the BCI and the chairman/nominees of various states Bar Councils unanimously took decision to stand against the HER Bill, 2011.

The members present at the meeting also maintained that the functions of the BCI are to safeguard the rights, privileges and interest of the advocates. It was of the unanimous view that, in fact, the needy people are deprived of getting the proper advantage/benefit of various schemes because of the faulty laws and of the government’s apathy in this regard.

The meeting further resolved to observe July 11-12, 2012 as “Protest Days” against these bills and the advocates across the country will stay away from works on the above days. It was also resolved to stage a peaceful dharna in the respective districts and state headquarters on July 11-12.

The HER Bill, 2011 is not only an attack on the advocates’ Act, but it is completely in violation of the federal structure of the nation.

The HRD Ministry is trying to hand over the entire education system to a few of its nomenees. Apart from being arbitrary, the said bill is totally impractical and attempts to spoil the tested and well established traditional norms of education system of the country.

The future course of action of the agitation is likely to follow up by “Jail Bharo Abhiyan” under the aegis of BCI, the sources further added.