A heated conflict between lawyers and police in Varanasi has sparked widespread concern among political leaders. With social media buzzing with conflicting narratives from both sides, Saturday, September 20, 2025, saw a chorus of demands for the implementation of the Advocates Protection Act. Leaders emphasized that the escalating situation poses a serious threat to both the sanctity of the judiciary and the fundamental principles of the rule of law in the region.
Ajay Rai, president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress unit, has specifically urged the Prime Minister — who also serves as the local Member of Parliament — to intervene. Rai called for immediate action to resolve the dispute and put an end to what he described as harassment against advocates.
“This growing conflict between lawyers and police is severely undermining our democratic framework,” stated Mr. Rai to The Hindu. “It exposes not only the local administration’s incompetence but also a blatant disregard from the government. Lawyers are more than just a professional body; they are guardians of our constitution and democracy. Any assault on them is an attack on our rule-based system. I implore the Prime Minister and the government to step in, take firm action against those who assaulted the lawyers, and initiate a meaningful dialogue between both parties.”
The root of this dispute traces back several days to an alleged assault on a lawyer by police officers. The situation escalated dramatically on September 16, when a group of lawyers reportedly retaliated, mobbing and assaulting two police personnel, who subsequently required hospitalization. This incident sparked intense social media activity, with both sides circulating videos challenging each other. In response, the advocate association filed a formal petition against senior police officials and personnel, citing abusive language against lawyers and a lack of action on their initial complaint.
Aasutosh Sinha, a Member of Legislative Council (MLC), has also championed the call for the Advocates Protection Act, asserting its necessity to prevent future incidents and address the alleged attacks on legal professionals.
Adding to the criticism, Shahnawaz Alam, National Secretary of the Congress Party, contended that the escalating tension is a clear indication of a breakdown in the state’s fundamental rule of law framework.
“Such incidents occur when the rule of law and the crucial checks and balances mechanism completely collapse in Uttar Pradesh,” Alam elaborated. “An attack on lawyers is fundamentally wrong in any democracy, and even mere confrontation signals a profound failure of our constitutional system.”