‘Legal Cockroaches Have United': CJP backs protest seeking BCI chairman's resignation over NALSAR row

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has backed a ‘peaceful protest’ called by the All India Young Advocates Association (AIYAA) demanding resignation of the BCI chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, after the NALSAR convocation row. The protest will be held outside the Bar Council of India (BCI) office at 10 am tomorrow.

CJP spokesperson Saurav Das posted on X (formerly Twitter) and said that he supports any form of ‘peaceful protest’ seeking accountability and standards for conduct in an office.

In his post on X, Das said that ‘Legal Cockroaches have united’ and will be protesting against the BCI chairman, demanding his resignation.

Moreover, the Bombay Bar Association condemned BCI's move following the NALSAR convocation row , stating that Mishra's apology cannot be seen as an “expression of true remorse”, since he continues to hold office when he ought to have resigned.

The development comes after the BCI's decision to temporarily stop enrolments of NALSAR graduates for the 2026 academic session.

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NALSAR convocation

BCI’s decision to stop enrollment of 2026 graduates came after students had objected to CJI Surya Kant’s participation in the NALSAR convocation ceremony.

The law university students objected to the CJI’s invitation over his remark on youth, calling them “cockroaches.”

However, BCI's order to stop enrolment of 2026 students was withdrawn within hours, with BCI citing that the futures of many 'innocent students,' who might not have been part of the agitation against NALSAR's invitation to CJI, would be affected by the decision.

Notably, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru students have also opposed CJI Kant and the BCI chairman’s invitation to attend the upcoming convocation of the university.

Also read BCI directs law colleges to strengthen teaching of new criminal laws, forensic science

CJI Kant backs students

"It's a dialogue between students and me," Chief Justice of India (CJI) Kant led-bench said after the BCI directed the state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 graduate until further orders.

Pointing out that students have the right to peaceful protest and that no one can prevent them from exercising it, the Supreme Court asked BCI's counsel whether the council had convened a meeting to pass such a resolution.

The matter has been listed for hearing after two weeks. The apex statutory body for lawyers said a decision in the matter will be taken on August 19 after considering all factors.