Monday, 17 August 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

Bar Council Of India Chairman Faces Resignation Calls

BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra sparks outrage, apologises for statement.

Mumbai Alert · Politics Desk
Mumbai Alert · Politics Desk
Politics Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Mon, 17 August 2026 at 09:10 pm
Bar Council Of India Chairman Faces Resignation Calls

The chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), Manan Kumar Mishra, has been at the centre of a controversy following his statement that he would not allow the enrolment of law students from Nalsar University in Hyderabad. This decision was made after the students refused to allow the Chief Justice of India to attend their convocation.

Mishra, who is also a BJP MP, later withdrew his statement and apologised for his actions. The Chief Justice of India also stated that there was no need for the BCI to intervene in the matter. Mishra's initial statement was widely condemned by the legal community across the country, with many feeling that he had overstepped his jurisdiction.

The Bar Council of India is a statutory body created under the Advocates Act 1961, and its primary function is to lay down standards of conduct for advocates and recognise law universities. However, Mishra's actions have raised questions about his leadership and the functioning of the BCI. He has been accused of being dictatorial in his decision-making and has faced criticism for his handling of the recognition of new private law colleges.

Mishra has been the chairman of the BCI for 12 years, which has raised eyebrows given that it is an elected body. There have been allegations that he has managed to remain in power by influencing the voting process. His long tenure has also been marked by controversy, including the Supreme Court's criticism of the low standards of many law universities and the law graduates they produce.

Recently, Mishra himself admitted that almost 30 to 40 per cent of lawyers have fake degrees, highlighting the failure of the institution he heads. Despite these controversies, Mishra has continued to occupy the chair of the BCI, sparking calls for his resignation. Many feel that his recent statement has compromised his moral standing to continue in his post.

The incident has also raised questions about the need for reform in the functioning of the BCI. There have been calls for a change in the rules governing the body, including a limit on the number of terms a chairman can serve. This would prevent individuals like Mishra from occupying the post for an extended period and abusing their power.

In light of the recent controversy, it is clear that Mishra's position as chairman of the BCI has become untenable. His actions have damaged the reputation of the institution and undermined the trust of the legal community. It is time for him to resign and allow for a new leadership to take over and restore the credibility of the BCI.

The resignation of Mishra would be a step in the right direction towards reforming the BCI and ensuring that it functions in a fair and transparent manner. It would also send a strong message that those in positions of power will be held accountable for their actions and that the institution will not be allowed to be controlled by one individual.

The legal community is waiting with bated breath to see how the situation unfolds and whether Mishra will finally relinquish his hold on the BCI. One thing is certain, however - the time has come for a change in leadership and a new era of transparency and accountability in the Bar Council of India.

The controversy surrounding Mishra's statement has also highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of the BCI and its functioning. The institution plays a critical role in regulating the legal profession, and it is essential that it is governed in a fair and transparent manner. The resignation of Mishra would be a significant step towards achieving this goal and restoring the credibility of the BCI.

In conclusion, the recent controversy surrounding the Bar Council of India has highlighted the need for reform and change in the institution. The resignation of Manan Kumar Mishra would be a significant step towards achieving this goal and restoring the credibility of the BCI. It is time for a new leadership to take over and ensure that the institution functions in a fair and transparent manner.

The significance of this controversy cannot be overstated. It has raised important questions about the functioning of the BCI and the need for reform. It has also highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in institutions that regulate the legal profession. As the situation unfolds, it is essential that the legal community continues to demand greater scrutiny and accountability from the BCI.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Mishra's statement has brought attention to the need for change in the Bar Council of India. It is time for the institution to be reformed and for a new leadership to take over. The resignation of Mishra would be a significant step towards achieving this goal and restoring the credibility of the BCI.

The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the need for reform in the legal profession. It has highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in institutions that regulate the profession. As the debate continues, it is essential that the legal community demands greater scrutiny and accountability from the BCI and other institutions that regulate the profession.

In the end, the controversy surrounding Mishra's statement has brought attention to the need for change in the Bar Council of India. It is time for the institution to be reformed and for a new leadership to take over. The resignation of Mishra would be a significant step towards achieving this goal and restoring the credibility of the BCI.

The Bar Council of India plays a critical role in regulating the legal profession, and it is essential that it is governed in a fair and transparent manner. The controversy surrounding Mishra's statement has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of the institution and its functioning. It is time for a new leadership to take over and ensure that the BCI functions in a fair and transparent manner.

The significance of this controversy cannot be overstated. It has raised important questions about the functioning of the BCI and the need for reform. It has also highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in institutions that regulate the legal profession. As the situation unfolds, it is essential that the legal community continues to demand greater scrutiny and accountability from the BCI.

The controversy surrounding Mishra's statement has also sparked a wider debate about the need for reform in the legal profession. It has highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in institutions that regulate the profession. As the debate continues, it is essential that the legal community demands greater scrutiny and accountability from the BCI and other institutions that regulate the profession.

The incident has also raised questions about the need for reform in the functioning of the BCI. There have been calls for a change in the rules governing the body, including a limit on the number of terms a chairman can serve. This would prevent individuals like Mishra from occupying the post for an extended period and abusing their power.

In light of the recent controversy, it is clear that Mishra's position as chairman of the BCI has become untenable. His actions have damaged the reputation of the institution and undermined the trust of the legal community. It is time for him to resign and allow for a new leadership to take over and restore the credibility of the BCI.

For Mumbai, the controversy surrounding the Bar Council of India has significant implications. The city is home to a large number of law students and lawyers, and the functioning of the BCI has a direct impact on their lives and careers. The controversy has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny of the BCI and its functioning, and it is essential that the legal community in Mumbai demands greater accountability and transparency from the institution.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding the Bar Council of India has highlighted the need for reform and change in the institution. The resignation of Manan Kumar Mishra would be a significant step towards achieving this goal and restoring the credibility of the BCI. It is time for a new leadership to take over and ensure that the institution functions in a fair and transparent manner.

The significance of this controversy cannot be overstated. It has raised important questions about the functioning of the BCI and the need for reform. It has also highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in institutions that regulate the legal profession. As the situation unfolds, it is essential that the legal community continues to demand greater scrutiny and accountability from the BCI.

Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Mishra's statement has brought attention to the need for change in the Bar Council of India. It is time for the institution to be reformed and for a new leadership to take over. The resignation of Mishra would be a significant step towards achieving this goal and restoring the credibility of the BCI.

Frequently asked questions

What was the controversy surrounding the Bar Council of India chairman?

The chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, made a statement that he would not allow the enrolment of law students from Nalsar University in Hyderabad, which sparked outrage and calls for his resignation.

What is the Bar Council of India and what is its function?

The Bar Council of India is a statutory body created under the Advocates Act 1961, and its primary function is to lay down standards of conduct for advocates and recognise law universities.

bar council of indiamanan kumar mishralaw studentsnalsar universitychief justice of india
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