Advocates practicing before the Himachal Pradesh High Court staged a protest on Thursday against the proposed amendments to the Advocates Act, asserting that the changes pose a serious threat to the independence of the legal profession.
The protest march, organized by the HP High Court Bar Association, commenced from the Himachal Pradesh High Court and culminated at the Raj Bhawan, where lawyers voiced their collective opposition to the anticipated legal reforms.
Legal Community Denounces Government’s Intentions
Senior advocate and former Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh, Shravan Dogra, expressed deep apprehension regarding the rationale behind the proposed amendments.
“The government claims that the bill is still in its preliminary stage, yet we refuse to remain passive until it is finalized. The very premise of amending the Advocates Act is questionable. This is not an isolated instance—time and again, we have seen similar attempts to introduce draconian laws across various sectors, only to face strong opposition. Now, this unwarranted burden has been placed on the legal profession. What is the urgency to alter this Act?” Dogra questioned.
He further argued that the proposed amendments were not mere procedural changes but a direct assault on the autonomy of legal practitioners.
“This is not about minor modifications; it is an outright attack on the independence of advocates. When the bill was first introduced in February 2025, there was widespread opposition. The government assured us that it was merely collecting suggestions, but this is an eyewash. The pattern is clear—they formally conduct consultations, enact the law, and then leave us to challenge it in court. Our independence is at stake. If we lose that, how can we safeguard the rights of those we represent?”
Bar Council’s Ambiguous Position Draws Criticism
Dogra also criticized the Bar Council of India (BCI) for failing to take a definitive stance against the bill, thereby creating ambiguity within the legal community.
“The Bar Council’s statements acknowledge our concerns, yet they fail to categorically oppose the bill. This silence leaves room for speculation and weakens our collective response. Today’s protest in Himachal Pradesh is just the beginning. This movement must gain momentum across the country because the proposed amendments will impact thousands of advocates nationwide,” he asserted.
According to Dogra, one of the most concerning aspects of the bill is its proposed mechanism for handling complaints against advocates, which he claimed would introduce external interference, leading to a biased and unjust disciplinary process.
“If this bill is enacted, the impartiality of disciplinary proceedings will be compromised. That is why we are protesting,” he added.
State Bar Association’s Unified Resistance
Piyush Verma, President of the HP High Court Bar Association, reiterated that the legal fraternity in Himachal Pradesh stands united against the proposed amendments.
“On March 6, 2025, we constituted a State Action Committee comprising 30 members, which unanimously decided to stage a peaceful protest march from the High Court to the Raj Bhawan. While there may be a lack of coordination between the Bar Council and other legal organizations, advocates across the country are growing increasingly united on this issue,” Verma said.
He drew parallels to previous legislative changes, such as those made to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), where stakeholders were initially assured of thorough consultations, only for the amendments to be implemented unilaterally.
“This is precisely what we fear now. A bill has already been drafted and is nearing finalization. This is why we are protesting,” Verma added.
Concerns Over Procedural Irregularities
Verma further pointed out procedural inconsistencies surrounding the consultation process.
“A letter regarding the proposed amendments was issued on February 17, 2025, inviting objections until February 28. However, instead of a response from the concerned legal authorities, a letter was issued by the Finance Controller on February 28, creating further confusion,” he stated.
He emphasized that if an official statement from the Bar Council of India or the Himachal Pradesh Bar Council were to confirm that these amendments would not impact advocates’ rights, the protests would cease immediately. However, in the absence of such assurances, the legal fraternity would persist in its resistance.
Broader Implications For Legal Professionals
With over 8,000 advocates in Shimla alone potentially affected by these amendments, the movement has gained significant momentum. Advocates across Himachal Pradesh and beyond are calling for complete transparency and consultation before any modifications to the Advocates Act are enacted.
As opposition to the proposed reforms intensifies, the coming weeks are expected to witness further nationwide mobilization of the legal fraternity against what they perceive as an existential threat to their profession’s independence.
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