The city of Mysuru recently witnessed a powerful display of solidarity and outrage as members of the Mysore Bar Association and various other organizations took to the streets. Their unified purpose: to vehemently condemn the alarming attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai, an incident that occurred at the Supreme Court just days prior.
Gathering before the revered bust of Mahatma Gandhi near the Mysuru civil court complex, the legal fraternity voiced their profound concern. Senior members of the Bar emphatically declared that this assault was not merely a deplorable act but a direct attack on the very bedrock of Indian democracy – its Constitution. They underscored that India’s strength as a nation-state is intrinsically linked to its Constitution, and any attempt to undermine it is, in essence, an attempt to weaken the country itself.
In a strong show of protest, the bar association demanded immediate and decisive action against the accused lawyer, Rakesh Kishore. They also announced a boycott of court proceedings for the day and formally submitted a memorandum to the government, reiterating their call for justice. The legal professionals made it clear that further protests would ensue should any member of the legal community attempt to defend the accused, asserting their solemn duty to protect and uphold constitutional ideals. As lawyers, they expressed their unwavering solidarity with Mr. Gavai.
Beyond the legal community, activists representing various organizations joined the chorus of condemnation. They, too, demanded that the accused be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and permanently barred from practicing. These activists highlighted the incident as a grave insult to India’s Constitution and its democratic principles, pushing for stringent punishment. They also called upon the government to investigate thoroughly, identifying any potential conspirators, and controversially linked the incident to what they perceive as a “rise in communal politics” across the nation.