August 22, 2026

Swapan Dasgupta (File photo) NEW DELHI: Newly sworn-in West Bengal ministers were allocated portfolios on Wednesday, with Swapan Dasgupta placed in charge of the finance department and Tapas Roy appointed as industries minister.Dasgupta was elected from the Rashbehari assembly constituency and is a former Rajya Sabha member.The allocation covered 13 Cabinet ministers and 22 ministers of state, including three with independent charge.BJP MLA from Bidhannagar, Sharadwat Mukherjee, was named health minister. Dudh Kumar Mondal was given the agriculture portfolio, while journalist-turned-politician Jagannath Chattopadhyay was appointed higher education minister. Dipak Barman took charge of the school education department.Shankar Ghosh, the MLA from Siliguri, was assigned tourism and parliamentary affairs, while Arjun Singh was given responsibility for the labour and transport ministries.Among ministers of state with independent charge, Indranil Khan was allotted the sports and youth portfolio along with consumer affairs, and Malati Rava Roy was given charge of women and child development.In total, 35 MLAs were sworn in as ministers on June 1, as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expanded his cabinet, taking the council of ministers’ strength to 41.This is the BJP’s first government in West Bengal after it defeated the Trinamool Congress in the state assembly elections held in late April, ending the Mamata Banerjee-led party’s 15-year rule.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosParaquat Debate: Why Is India Still Allowing A Herbicide Banned In 74 Countries?Narendra Modi Overtakes Jawaharlal Nehru As India’s Longest-Serving Democratically Elected PMPOK Protests, Detentions & Killings Vs Zojila Tunnel: Two Very Different Stories Across KashmirTMC Faces Fresh Rebellion As MPs Cozy Up To NDA, Shatrughan Sinha’s Silence Raises QuestionsDelhi Races Against Monsoon: 70% Drain Desilting Completed, June 15 Deadline SetFlying Could Cost More As Government-Backed ATF Price Hike Raises Airline Operating CostsIndus Waters Treaty In Abeyance: Centre Says Pakistan Won’t Get ‘A Single Drop’ Of WaterMamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition RealignmentIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | Watch123PhotostoriesShould parents read their child’s chats? Experts weigh inWhy toxic people feel so familiar to you: 5 psychology-backed reasons that may surprise youExplore the temple that you should visit for mental peace; according to birth dateNikhil Kamath’s Bengaluru home is an epitome of modern luxury, sustainability and effortless sophisticationTreasure hunt to game tournament: 10 fun and budget-friendly summer activities for kids aged 8–12This town is built under massive cliffs and is becoming a must-visit destinationBalcony gardening tips: 6 Smart ways to transform a tiny apartment balcony into a lush green retreatWhy more young Indians are being diagnosed with diabetes despite not being overweightThis day, that year: From Bonnie and Clyde’s devastating crash to Spirit Rover’s Mars journey — How June 10 shaped the worldHanging baskets turning thin: 7 Smart care tips to keep them overflowing with flowers123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Swapan Dasgupta (File photo) NEW DELHI: Newly sworn-in West Bengal ministers were allocated portfolios on Wednesday, with Swapan Dasgupta placed in charge of the finance department and Tapas Roy appointed as industries minister.Dasgupta was elected from the Rashbehari assembly constituency and is a former Rajya Sabha member.The allocation covered 13 Cabinet ministers and 22 ministers of state, including three with independent charge.BJP MLA from Bidhannagar, Sharadwat Mukherjee, was named health minister. Dudh Kumar Mondal was given the agriculture portfolio, while journalist-turned-politician Jagannath Chattopadhyay was appointed higher education minister. Dipak Barman took charge of the school education department.Shankar Ghosh, the MLA from Siliguri, was assigned tourism and parliamentary affairs, while Arjun Singh was given responsibility for the labour and transport ministries.Among ministers of state with independent charge, Indranil Khan was allotted the sports and youth portfolio along with consumer affairs, and Malati Rava Roy was given charge of women and child development.In total, 35 MLAs were sworn in as ministers on June 1, as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expanded his cabinet, taking the council of ministers’ strength to 41.This is the BJP’s first government in West Bengal after it defeated the Trinamool Congress in the state assembly elections held in late April, ending the Mamata Banerjee-led party’s 15-year rule.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosParaquat Debate: Why Is India Still Allowing A Herbicide Banned In 74 Countries?Narendra Modi Overtakes Jawaharlal Nehru As India’s Longest-Serving Democratically Elected PMPOK Protests, Detentions & Killings Vs Zojila Tunnel: Two Very Different Stories Across KashmirTMC Faces Fresh Rebellion As MPs Cozy Up To NDA, Shatrughan Sinha’s Silence Raises QuestionsDelhi Races Against Monsoon: 70% Drain Desilting Completed, June 15 Deadline SetFlying Could Cost More As Government-Backed ATF Price Hike Raises Airline Operating CostsIndus Waters Treaty In Abeyance: Centre Says Pakistan Won’t Get ‘A Single Drop’ Of WaterMamata Banerjee’s Rare Meeting With Sonia Gandhi Sparks Speculation Of Opposition RealignmentIndia’s Nuclear Posture Shifts As SIPRI Flags Deployment Of 12 Warheads | WatchCongress Alleges EC Blocked Delegation Amid Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha Nomination Row | Watch123PhotostoriesShould parents read their child’s chats? Experts weigh inWhy toxic people feel so familiar to you: 5 psychology-backed reasons that may surprise youExplore the temple that you should visit for mental peace; according to birth dateNikhil Kamath’s Bengaluru home is an epitome of modern luxury, sustainability and effortless sophisticationTreasure hunt to game tournament: 10 fun and budget-friendly summer activities for kids aged 8–12This town is built under massive cliffs and is becoming a must-visit destinationBalcony gardening tips: 6 Smart ways to transform a tiny apartment balcony into a lush green retreatWhy more young Indians are being diagnosed with diabetes despite not being overweightThis day, that year: From Bonnie and Clyde’s devastating crash to Spirit Rover’s Mars journey — How June 10 shaped the worldHanging baskets turning thin: 7 Smart care tips to keep them overflowing with flowers123Hot PicksSourth Africa ShootingBharathirajaDelhi hotel fireAshok MuralidaranFIFA World Cup ScheduleKarnataka Trader NewsHector PennKerala Plus One ResultTNEA Random NumberTop TrendingBAN vs AUS Live ScoreUS Iran warGold Rate TodayFIFA World Cup 2026Delhi Hotel FireChennai TNSTC BusMeerut Conversion CaseBareilly NewsFilmmaker Bharathiraja DeathKarnataka Murder


Swapan Dasgupta gets finance as West Bengal govt distributes portfolios among newly sworn ministers
Swapan Dasgupta (File photo)

NEW DELHI: Newly sworn-in West Bengal ministers were allocated portfolios on Wednesday, with Swapan Dasgupta placed in charge of the finance department and Tapas Roy appointed as industries minister.Dasgupta was elected from the Rashbehari assembly constituency and is a former Rajya Sabha member.The allocation covered 13 Cabinet ministers and 22 ministers of state, including three with independent charge.BJP MLA from Bidhannagar, Sharadwat Mukherjee, was named health minister. Dudh Kumar Mondal was given the agriculture portfolio, while journalist-turned-politician Jagannath Chattopadhyay was appointed higher education minister. Dipak Barman took charge of the school education department.Shankar Ghosh, the MLA from Siliguri, was assigned tourism and parliamentary affairs, while Arjun Singh was given responsibility for the labour and transport ministries.Among ministers of state with independent charge, Indranil Khan was allotted the sports and youth portfolio along with consumer affairs, and Malati Rava Roy was given charge of women and child development.In total, 35 MLAs were sworn in as ministers on June 1, as West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expanded his cabinet, taking the council of ministers’ strength to 41.This is the BJP’s first government in West Bengal after it defeated the Trinamool Congress in the state assembly elections held in late April, ending the Mamata Banerjee-led party’s 15-year rule.



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NEW DELHI: Retiring Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Karol in his farewell address on Saturday, said judges “are not gods and they will not get every judgment right.” He also urged other judges to look beyond the facts of a case and see the person behind every litigant.The Supreme Court bid farewell to Justice Karol on his last working day, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and senior members of the Bar, including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Supreme Court Bar Association president Pradeep Rai paying tribute to the outgoing judge.“We, as judges, are not gods. We will not get every judgment right. What was always in our hands was simple: to see the person, not just the petitioner. A petition can only tell you the facts of a case, but it cannot tell you what the person has already lost or what he is hoping to seek from the courts. And perhaps that is why I have always said that judging requires a certain level of humility,” Justice Karol said.“The Constitution does not ask us merely to apply the law correctly. It asks us to apply it justly. That is perhaps why the responsibility of judging has always seemed larger to me than simply deciding who is legally correct,” he added.Justice Karol, who was elevated to the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023, reflected on his nearly four-decade journey in the legal profession. He said the courtroom had never been merely a workplace for him, but a vehicle for something “greater and more important” than himself.“I will not pretend that this journey has been mine alone. This courtroom has not left me; it has supported me,” he said.Karol spent 40 years in courtrooms, initially as an advocate and later, for 19 years, as a judge. He said judges must learn to listen not only to arguments but also to the “eloquent silences” in courtrooms.“In the silence of the Bar, there is a way of listening,” he said, stressing that the judicial process was also about understanding what people were seeking “in the spaces between the words”.Recalling his first visit to Courtroom No. 1 of the Supreme Court in 1996, Justice Karol said the Bench appeared to him to be almost six feet above the ground.“Judging from there has taught me something about this courtroom’s symbolism. From below, the height of the bench can appear to signify authority. From the comfort zone, it signifies something quite different, and that is responsibility with dignity and honesty,” he said.Justice Karol said the Supreme Court’s true significance lay in the faith of ordinary citizens who approach it believing that someone would listen.“But we must also remember those who never reach those doors because justice is too distant, too expensive, too intimidating,” he said.Reflecting on constitutionalism and justice, Karol said concepts such as law, due process and constitutional legality could be understood through the idea of “dharma”, which he described not as ritual but as duty.“The duty of a judge is to respect justice and see that the person standing before the court, however small, however wretched, is seen and heard,” he said.Addressing the Bar, he said the principles of judging extended beyond courtrooms and judicial robes, with every individual responsible for judging their own choices, conduct and use of power.“There may be no courtrooms, no robes, no technical grounds, but in these small choices, each of us dispenses the measure of justice that we take,” he said.“A judge is a judge before he dons and after he takes off the robes,” he added.Referring to a point made by CJI Surya Kant a day earlier, Justice Karol said India had not only a living Constitution but also had to “live the Constitution”.“The greatness of our Constitution is tested not only in great cases. It is tested in ordinary conduct,” he said. Concluding his farewell address, Justice Karol said he was returning to “the most distinguished constitutional office,” that of the ordinary citizen.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBorn on August 23, 1961, Karol studied in Shimla and obtained his law degree from Himachal Pradesh University. He became advocate general of Himachal Pradesh in 1998 and served until 2003, and was designated a senior advocate in 1999.He was appointed a judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court in March 2007 and became chief justice of the Tripura high court in November 2018. He was later transferred as chief justice of the Patna high court in November 2019 before being elevated to the Supreme Court in February 2023.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC-ST Act Repeal, Creamy Layer Demand: Protesters Seek Major Overhaul Of India’s Reservation SystemBCI Chief Manan Mishra Rejects CJP’s Resignation Demand, Says Lawyers Can Never Be CockroachesH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And Innovate123PhotostoriesBandhani to Leheriya: Indian textiles fashion lovers often mistake for each other7 telltale signs your ‘office bestie’ is quietly competing with youHair fall getting worse every monsoon? Expert explains what humidity, sweat and rainwater are doing to your scalp and how to prevent itFrom a net worth of over Rs 2,000 crores to a lavish house in Delhi: Shalini Passi’s luxurious lifestyleHow to wash citrus fruits properly to remove wax, germs and dirtMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

NEW DELHI: Retiring Supreme Court judge Justice Sanjay Karol in his farewell address on Saturday, said judges “are not gods and they will not get every judgment right.” He also urged other judges to look beyond the facts of a case and see the person behind every litigant.The Supreme Court bid farewell to Justice Karol on his last working day, with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and senior members of the Bar, including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Supreme Court Bar Association president Pradeep Rai paying tribute to the outgoing judge.“We, as judges, are not gods. We will not get every judgment right. What was always in our hands was simple: to see the person, not just the petitioner. A petition can only tell you the facts of a case, but it cannot tell you what the person has already lost or what he is hoping to seek from the courts. And perhaps that is why I have always said that judging requires a certain level of humility,” Justice Karol said.“The Constitution does not ask us merely to apply the law correctly. It asks us to apply it justly. That is perhaps why the responsibility of judging has always seemed larger to me than simply deciding who is legally correct,” he added.Justice Karol, who was elevated to the Supreme Court on February 6, 2023, reflected on his nearly four-decade journey in the legal profession. He said the courtroom had never been merely a workplace for him, but a vehicle for something “greater and more important” than himself.“I will not pretend that this journey has been mine alone. This courtroom has not left me; it has supported me,” he said.Karol spent 40 years in courtrooms, initially as an advocate and later, for 19 years, as a judge. He said judges must learn to listen not only to arguments but also to the “eloquent silences” in courtrooms.“In the silence of the Bar, there is a way of listening,” he said, stressing that the judicial process was also about understanding what people were seeking “in the spaces between the words”.Recalling his first visit to Courtroom No. 1 of the Supreme Court in 1996, Justice Karol said the Bench appeared to him to be almost six feet above the ground.“Judging from there has taught me something about this courtroom’s symbolism. From below, the height of the bench can appear to signify authority. From the comfort zone, it signifies something quite different, and that is responsibility with dignity and honesty,” he said.Justice Karol said the Supreme Court’s true significance lay in the faith of ordinary citizens who approach it believing that someone would listen.“But we must also remember those who never reach those doors because justice is too distant, too expensive, too intimidating,” he said.Reflecting on constitutionalism and justice, Karol said concepts such as law, due process and constitutional legality could be understood through the idea of “dharma”, which he described not as ritual but as duty.“The duty of a judge is to respect justice and see that the person standing before the court, however small, however wretched, is seen and heard,” he said.Addressing the Bar, he said the principles of judging extended beyond courtrooms and judicial robes, with every individual responsible for judging their own choices, conduct and use of power.“There may be no courtrooms, no robes, no technical grounds, but in these small choices, each of us dispenses the measure of justice that we take,” he said.“A judge is a judge before he dons and after he takes off the robes,” he added.Referring to a point made by CJI Surya Kant a day earlier, Justice Karol said India had not only a living Constitution but also had to “live the Constitution”.“The greatness of our Constitution is tested not only in great cases. It is tested in ordinary conduct,” he said. Concluding his farewell address, Justice Karol said he was returning to “the most distinguished constitutional office,” that of the ordinary citizen.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesBorn on August 23, 1961, Karol studied in Shimla and obtained his law degree from Himachal Pradesh University. He became advocate general of Himachal Pradesh in 1998 and served until 2003, and was designated a senior advocate in 1999.He was appointed a judge of the Himachal Pradesh high court in March 2007 and became chief justice of the Tripura high court in November 2018. He was later transferred as chief justice of the Patna high court in November 2019 before being elevated to the Supreme Court in February 2023.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKanchan YadavKanchan Yadav is a writer at The Times of India, where she covers business, politics, international affairs and social issues. Her reporting also focuses on policy, governance and economic developments, with a close lens on how decisions in corridors of power affect everyday lives and community well-being.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC-ST Act Repeal, Creamy Layer Demand: Protesters Seek Major Overhaul Of India’s Reservation SystemBCI Chief Manan Mishra Rejects CJP’s Resignation Demand, Says Lawyers Can Never Be CockroachesH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And Innovate123PhotostoriesBandhani to Leheriya: Indian textiles fashion lovers often mistake for each other7 telltale signs your ‘office bestie’ is quietly competing with youHair fall getting worse every monsoon? Expert explains what humidity, sweat and rainwater are doing to your scalp and how to prevent itFrom a net worth of over Rs 2,000 crores to a lavish house in Delhi: Shalini Passi’s luxurious lifestyleHow to wash citrus fruits properly to remove wax, germs and dirtMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

Vamsikrishna 0
Protests outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence against Cong leaders calling Sajjan Kumar ‘hero’ . Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots staged a protest outside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi on Saturday, demanding an apology over remarks by some Congress leaders describing former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a “hero” and “role model”.The protest, led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, took place amid heavy police barricading outside Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road.A DSGMC leader questioned whether the Congress endorsed the remarks made about Kumar, who was convicted in a case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.”After Sajjan Kumar’s death, the kind of statements given by Congress leaders saying Sajjan Kumar is our hero are objectionable. Rahul Gandhi has to clarify today whether Sajjan Kumar is their hero,” the leader said.Referring to Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda’s remarks, the DSGMC leader sought an apology from Gandhi and the party.”Forty-two years later, the wounds of our families have been reopened. Our sentiments have been hurt. Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders must acknowledge and apologise,” he said.The DSGMC had earlier said the protest followed what it described as the Congress “once again allegedly referred to Sajjan Kumar, accused in the killings of thousands of Sikhs, as a role model”.The controversy intensified after Hooda, speaking to ANI following Kumar’s death on Thursday, said, “Today, the country’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss… He is cited as a role model nationwide.”Punjab Congress leaders subsequently distanced themselves from Hooda’s remarks.Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said Kumar had been punished for his actions and that the party stood with the victims.”Sajjan Kumar did misdeeds. He has been punished for his actions. A leader does not lead in harming others. We stand with those who died due to him,” Aujla said.On Hooda’s statement, Aujla said, “It must be the personal opinion of Hooda ji but our view is that whatever happened and whoever it happened with, we stand with them, the victims.”Punjab Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka also said the party’s priority was to support those affected by the violence.”Sajjan Kumar’s life had been full of controversies. This is a matter related to Punjab and Punjabis have been hurt. If Sajjan Kumar is being held responsible for it, we first stand in support of those innocent people; Sajjan Kumar comes only later,” Verka told ANI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCongress MP Manish Tewari declined to comment directly on Hooda’s remarks, saying, “I haven’t read the statement, so it won’t be correct to comment on it… If he is saying something, he is capable to speak on it.”Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Friday criticised the Congress over Hooda’s remarks.Kumar, an 80-year-old former Congress MP, died on Thursday while serving a life sentence in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. He was convicted by the Delhi high court in 2018 in the Raj Nagar case involving the killing of five members of a family and the burning of a gurdwara.In February 2025, a Delhi court sentenced him to a second life term in the Saraswati Vihar murder case involving the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC-ST Act Repeal, Creamy Layer Demand: Protesters Seek Major Overhaul Of India’s Reservation SystemBCI Chief Manan Mishra Rejects CJP’s Resignation Demand, Says Lawyers Can Never Be CockroachesH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And Innovate123Photostories7 telltale signs your ‘office bestie’ is quietly competing with youHair fall getting worse every monsoon? Expert explains what humidity, sweat and rainwater are doing to your scalp and how to prevent itFrom a net worth of over Rs 2,000 crores to a lavish house in Delhi: Shalini Passi’s luxurious lifestyleHow to wash citrus fruits properly to remove wax, germs and dirtMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligence123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

Protests outside Rahul Gandhi’s residence against Cong leaders calling Sajjan Kumar ‘hero’ . Photo credit: IANS NEW DELHI: Sikh leaders and families affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots staged a protest outside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s residence in New Delhi on Saturday, demanding an apology over remarks by some Congress leaders describing former party leader Sajjan Kumar as a “hero” and “role model”.The protest, led by Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, took place amid heavy police barricading outside Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road.A DSGMC leader questioned whether the Congress endorsed the remarks made about Kumar, who was convicted in a case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.”After Sajjan Kumar’s death, the kind of statements given by Congress leaders saying Sajjan Kumar is our hero are objectionable. Rahul Gandhi has to clarify today whether Sajjan Kumar is their hero,” the leader said.Referring to Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda’s remarks, the DSGMC leader sought an apology from Gandhi and the party.”Forty-two years later, the wounds of our families have been reopened. Our sentiments have been hurt. Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders must acknowledge and apologise,” he said.The DSGMC had earlier said the protest followed what it described as the Congress “once again allegedly referred to Sajjan Kumar, accused in the killings of thousands of Sikhs, as a role model”.The controversy intensified after Hooda, speaking to ANI following Kumar’s death on Thursday, said, “Today, the country’s political landscape has suffered an irreparable loss… He is cited as a role model nationwide.”Punjab Congress leaders subsequently distanced themselves from Hooda’s remarks.Congress MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said Kumar had been punished for his actions and that the party stood with the victims.”Sajjan Kumar did misdeeds. He has been punished for his actions. A leader does not lead in harming others. We stand with those who died due to him,” Aujla said.On Hooda’s statement, Aujla said, “It must be the personal opinion of Hooda ji but our view is that whatever happened and whoever it happened with, we stand with them, the victims.”Punjab Congress working president Raj Kumar Verka also said the party’s priority was to support those affected by the violence.”Sajjan Kumar’s life had been full of controversies. This is a matter related to Punjab and Punjabis have been hurt. If Sajjan Kumar is being held responsible for it, we first stand in support of those innocent people; Sajjan Kumar comes only later,” Verka told ANI.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesCongress MP Manish Tewari declined to comment directly on Hooda’s remarks, saying, “I haven’t read the statement, so it won’t be correct to comment on it… If he is saying something, he is capable to speak on it.”Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab on Friday criticised the Congress over Hooda’s remarks.Kumar, an 80-year-old former Congress MP, died on Thursday while serving a life sentence in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. He was convicted by the Delhi high court in 2018 in the Raj Nagar case involving the killing of five members of a family and the burning of a gurdwara.In February 2025, a Delhi court sentenced him to a second life term in the Saraswati Vihar murder case involving the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorSubhadra SrivastavaSubhadra Srivastava is a journalist with The Times of India, covering geopolitics, international and national affairs. With over three years of experience, she focuses on national and global developments, conflict, diplomacy and their impact on India. Her work combines breaking news with in-depth analysis, offering readers context and clarity on the stories shaping the world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC-ST Act Repeal, Creamy Layer Demand: Protesters Seek Major Overhaul Of India’s Reservation SystemBCI Chief Manan Mishra Rejects CJP’s Resignation Demand, Says Lawyers Can Never Be CockroachesH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And Innovate123Photostories7 telltale signs your ‘office bestie’ is quietly competing with youHair fall getting worse every monsoon? Expert explains what humidity, sweat and rainwater are doing to your scalp and how to prevent itFrom a net worth of over Rs 2,000 crores to a lavish house in Delhi: Shalini Passi’s luxurious lifestyleHow to wash citrus fruits properly to remove wax, germs and dirtMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligence123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

Vamsikrishna 0
Manan Mishra also addressed the recent controversy involving students of NALSAR University of Law. NEW DELHI: Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman and Rajya Sabha member Manan Kumar Mishra rejected demands for his resignation, saying he holds the position through an election and represents around 25 lakh lawyers across the country.Mishra made the remarks a day after a group of lawyers from different Bar Associations in Delhi staged a protest outside the BCI office in New Delhi.The protesters raised several concerns, including Mishra’s long tenure, the lack of welfare measures for advocates and the proposed increase in the enrolment fee for lawyers.”I have served as the chairman of the Bar Council of India for 12 to 14 years because I was elected. Manan Mishra represents 25 lakh lawyers; he will not step down simply,” Mishra said, responding to the protest.He further said: “I am an elected representative. I was neither selected nor nominated to the Bar Council of India. It is a statutory body established under the Advocates Act.”The lawyers demanding his resignation also sought the implementation of an Advocate Protection Act and questioned the proposed increase in registration fees at State Bar Councils.Supreme Court petition challenges Mishra’s tenureAmid the controversy, a petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court challenging Mishra’s continuation as BCI chairman. Filed by advocate Yogamaya MG through advocate Deepak Prakash, the plea alleges that his uninterrupted tenure for more than a decade is contrary to the rules governing the BCI.The petitioner has relied on Rule 12(2) of the BCI Rules, which provides for a two-year tenure for the chairman and vice-chairman, or until they cease to be members, whichever is earlier.The plea has also challenged an April 21, 2025 Gazette notification that allegedly extended Mishra’s tenure until 2030. It has asked the Supreme Court to quash the notification and direct the BCI to withdraw or rescind it.According to the petition, Mishra first became BCI chairman in 2012. Although he briefly left the post in 2014, he returned as chairman in November that year and has remained in the position since then. The petitioner has claimed that his re-election in March 2025 was his seventh consecutive term.The plea has argued that the absence of a cumulative limit on repeated re-election allows the office to remain concentrated in one individual for an extended period.”Although Rule 12(2) prescribes a two-year tenure, no meaningful restriction exists upon repeated re-election. Consequently, the office has remained with the same individual for nearly twelve years. Such prolonged concentration is prima facie inconsistent with the representative scheme embodied in Section 4(1)(c), under which every State Bar Council contributes to the composition of the Bar Council of India. A national institution representing the entire legal profession should not permit its highest office to remain concentrated indefinitely in one individual or a narrow regional grouping,” the petition stated.The petitioner has sought Mishra’s removal and fresh elections within a time-bound period under independent supervision. It has also asked for a cumulative cap on the number of years a person can serve as BCI chairman, along with a rotation system and cooling-off period to allow representatives from different states and regions to head the council.The plea has further sought an independent committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge or former chief justice of a high court. The proposed committee would be assisted by an auditor nominated by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), along with financial and technical experts.The petition has also sought an independent inquiry into the functioning and finances of the BCI Trust, “PEARL-FIRST”, and the financial affairs of the All India Bar Examination.It has called for a time-bound audit of statutory funds, All India Bar Examination receipts, institutional receipts, trust finances, vendor contracts and related party transactions.As an interim measure, the petitioner has proposed an independent administrative committee to oversee the BCI if the Supreme Court orders Mishra’s removal.The plea has also referred to Mishra’s political role. It noted that he became a Rajya Sabha member after being nominated by the BJP in 2024.The petitioner has clarified that it is not claiming that Mishra’s political affiliation alone makes him ineligible to remain BCI chairman. Instead, it has raised concerns about the combination of political office and leadership of the statutory body responsible for regulating the legal profession.”Petitioner does not seek the removal of any individual merely because of political affiliation or personal disagreement with any office bearer. Nor does the petitioner invite this Court to substitute its own opinion for that of the statutory authority. The challenge is directed against structural illegality, alleged concentration of institutional control, prolonged concentration of statutory power, violation of mandatory statutory provisions governing tenure and elections, arbitrary exercise of regulatory authority, absence of transparency and accountability, and failure to preserve the representative democratic character contemplated under the Advocates Act, 1961,” added the PIL.Mishra defends action over NALSAR student controversyMishra also addressed the recent controversy involving students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad and the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who is also the university’s chancellor.”Lately, there has been a lot of irresponsible and absurd commentary circulating on social media. Students from NALSAR University, Hyderabad, decided to boycott the Chief Justice of India – who is also their Chancellor – and refused to attend the convocation ceremony where he was to preside,” Mishra said.”As the Chairman of the Bar Council of India, I found this deeply objectionable,” he added.According to Mishra, the BCI initially issued an order stating that the enrolment of the students involved would not be processed. He said the decision was withdrawn within 15 minutes after their grievances were addressed.”Within 15 minutes, that order was revoked, and the students’ grievances were addressed,” he said.Mishra alleged that the episode was later used by members of the Aam Aadmi Party and a group he described as the “CJP group” to demand his resignation.”I have served as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India for 12 to 14 years because I was elected,” he reiterated.He also said around 15 students had gathered outside the BCI office on Thursday night to demand that he step down.”Yesterday, about 15 students came here at night demanding a resignation,” Mishra said.Meanwhile, another group of lawyers gathered in support of Mishra and defended his position as an elected representative of the legal profession.Advocate Satyam Singh said protests alone could not remove the BCI chairman because he had been elected by members of the legal community.”The BCI Chairman is an elected official who has been consistently voted into office. He hasn’t been appointed through a selection process or an exam where you can simply show up and demand his resignation,” Singh said.”He represents 2.5 million lawyers across the country, representing them successfully for years on end,” he added.On the NALSAR controversy, Singh said the issue should be viewed in the context of respect for legal institutions.”The CJI is the head of the Constitution–in a sense, its guardian–while NALSAR students are future lawyers and judges who will become part of this profession, whether on the Bar or the Bench. If they do not respect or trust that institution, where does that leave us?” he said.Singh also defended Mishra’s decision to issue the initial order, while acknowledging that it was subsequently withdrawn.”He withdrew it and admitted it was issued in haste. However, it was necessary to send a message that one must trust and respect the institution; that was the intent behind the move,” Singh said.Lawyers raise welfare and fee concernsThe protest, however, was not limited to the demand for Mishra’s resignation. Lawyers also raised broader concerns about welfare measures and working conditions within the profession.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdvocate Raman Sharma alleged that there had been no significant nationwide welfare scheme for lawyers despite Mishra’s long tenure as BCI chairman.Advocate Umesh Kumar raised the issue of a national insurance scheme for lawyers and objected to the proposed increase in enrolment fees to Rs 22,500.Other protesters, including advocate Perdeep Nagar, called for greater scrutiny of lawyers’ credentials and urged the BCI to give greater attention to the welfare of members of the legal profession.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC-ST Act Repeal, Creamy Layer Demand: Protesters Seek Major Overhaul Of India’s Reservation SystemBCI Chief Manan Mishra Rejects CJP’s Resignation Demand, Says Lawyers Can Never Be CockroachesH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And Innovate123PhotostoriesHair fall getting worse every monsoon? Expert explains what humidity, sweat and rainwater are doing to your scalp and how to prevent itFrom a net worth of over Rs 2,000 crores to a lavish house in Delhi: Shalini Passi’s luxurious lifestyleHow to wash citrus fruits properly to remove wax, germs and dirtMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligenceOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant trait123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

Manan Mishra also addressed the recent controversy involving students of NALSAR University of Law. NEW DELHI: Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman and Rajya Sabha member Manan Kumar Mishra rejected demands for his resignation, saying he holds the position through an election and represents around 25 lakh lawyers across the country.Mishra made the remarks a day after a group of lawyers from different Bar Associations in Delhi staged a protest outside the BCI office in New Delhi.The protesters raised several concerns, including Mishra’s long tenure, the lack of welfare measures for advocates and the proposed increase in the enrolment fee for lawyers.”I have served as the chairman of the Bar Council of India for 12 to 14 years because I was elected. Manan Mishra represents 25 lakh lawyers; he will not step down simply,” Mishra said, responding to the protest.He further said: “I am an elected representative. I was neither selected nor nominated to the Bar Council of India. It is a statutory body established under the Advocates Act.”The lawyers demanding his resignation also sought the implementation of an Advocate Protection Act and questioned the proposed increase in registration fees at State Bar Councils.Supreme Court petition challenges Mishra’s tenureAmid the controversy, a petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court challenging Mishra’s continuation as BCI chairman. Filed by advocate Yogamaya MG through advocate Deepak Prakash, the plea alleges that his uninterrupted tenure for more than a decade is contrary to the rules governing the BCI.The petitioner has relied on Rule 12(2) of the BCI Rules, which provides for a two-year tenure for the chairman and vice-chairman, or until they cease to be members, whichever is earlier.The plea has also challenged an April 21, 2025 Gazette notification that allegedly extended Mishra’s tenure until 2030. It has asked the Supreme Court to quash the notification and direct the BCI to withdraw or rescind it.According to the petition, Mishra first became BCI chairman in 2012. Although he briefly left the post in 2014, he returned as chairman in November that year and has remained in the position since then. The petitioner has claimed that his re-election in March 2025 was his seventh consecutive term.The plea has argued that the absence of a cumulative limit on repeated re-election allows the office to remain concentrated in one individual for an extended period.”Although Rule 12(2) prescribes a two-year tenure, no meaningful restriction exists upon repeated re-election. Consequently, the office has remained with the same individual for nearly twelve years. Such prolonged concentration is prima facie inconsistent with the representative scheme embodied in Section 4(1)(c), under which every State Bar Council contributes to the composition of the Bar Council of India. A national institution representing the entire legal profession should not permit its highest office to remain concentrated indefinitely in one individual or a narrow regional grouping,” the petition stated.The petitioner has sought Mishra’s removal and fresh elections within a time-bound period under independent supervision. It has also asked for a cumulative cap on the number of years a person can serve as BCI chairman, along with a rotation system and cooling-off period to allow representatives from different states and regions to head the council.The plea has further sought an independent committee headed by a former Supreme Court judge or former chief justice of a high court. The proposed committee would be assisted by an auditor nominated by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), along with financial and technical experts.The petition has also sought an independent inquiry into the functioning and finances of the BCI Trust, “PEARL-FIRST”, and the financial affairs of the All India Bar Examination.It has called for a time-bound audit of statutory funds, All India Bar Examination receipts, institutional receipts, trust finances, vendor contracts and related party transactions.As an interim measure, the petitioner has proposed an independent administrative committee to oversee the BCI if the Supreme Court orders Mishra’s removal.The plea has also referred to Mishra’s political role. It noted that he became a Rajya Sabha member after being nominated by the BJP in 2024.The petitioner has clarified that it is not claiming that Mishra’s political affiliation alone makes him ineligible to remain BCI chairman. Instead, it has raised concerns about the combination of political office and leadership of the statutory body responsible for regulating the legal profession.”Petitioner does not seek the removal of any individual merely because of political affiliation or personal disagreement with any office bearer. Nor does the petitioner invite this Court to substitute its own opinion for that of the statutory authority. The challenge is directed against structural illegality, alleged concentration of institutional control, prolonged concentration of statutory power, violation of mandatory statutory provisions governing tenure and elections, arbitrary exercise of regulatory authority, absence of transparency and accountability, and failure to preserve the representative democratic character contemplated under the Advocates Act, 1961,” added the PIL.Mishra defends action over NALSAR student controversyMishra also addressed the recent controversy involving students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad and the Chief Justice of India (CJI), who is also the university’s chancellor.”Lately, there has been a lot of irresponsible and absurd commentary circulating on social media. Students from NALSAR University, Hyderabad, decided to boycott the Chief Justice of India – who is also their Chancellor – and refused to attend the convocation ceremony where he was to preside,” Mishra said.”As the Chairman of the Bar Council of India, I found this deeply objectionable,” he added.According to Mishra, the BCI initially issued an order stating that the enrolment of the students involved would not be processed. He said the decision was withdrawn within 15 minutes after their grievances were addressed.”Within 15 minutes, that order was revoked, and the students’ grievances were addressed,” he said.Mishra alleged that the episode was later used by members of the Aam Aadmi Party and a group he described as the “CJP group” to demand his resignation.”I have served as the Chairman of the Bar Council of India for 12 to 14 years because I was elected,” he reiterated.He also said around 15 students had gathered outside the BCI office on Thursday night to demand that he step down.”Yesterday, about 15 students came here at night demanding a resignation,” Mishra said.Meanwhile, another group of lawyers gathered in support of Mishra and defended his position as an elected representative of the legal profession.Advocate Satyam Singh said protests alone could not remove the BCI chairman because he had been elected by members of the legal community.”The BCI Chairman is an elected official who has been consistently voted into office. He hasn’t been appointed through a selection process or an exam where you can simply show up and demand his resignation,” Singh said.”He represents 2.5 million lawyers across the country, representing them successfully for years on end,” he added.On the NALSAR controversy, Singh said the issue should be viewed in the context of respect for legal institutions.”The CJI is the head of the Constitution–in a sense, its guardian–while NALSAR students are future lawyers and judges who will become part of this profession, whether on the Bar or the Bench. If they do not respect or trust that institution, where does that leave us?” he said.Singh also defended Mishra’s decision to issue the initial order, while acknowledging that it was subsequently withdrawn.”He withdrew it and admitted it was issued in haste. However, it was necessary to send a message that one must trust and respect the institution; that was the intent behind the move,” Singh said.Lawyers raise welfare and fee concernsThe protest, however, was not limited to the demand for Mishra’s resignation. Lawyers also raised broader concerns about welfare measures and working conditions within the profession.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesAdvocate Raman Sharma alleged that there had been no significant nationwide welfare scheme for lawyers despite Mishra’s long tenure as BCI chairman.Advocate Umesh Kumar raised the issue of a national insurance scheme for lawyers and objected to the proposed increase in enrolment fees to Rs 22,500.Other protesters, including advocate Perdeep Nagar, called for greater scrutiny of lawyers’ credentials and urged the BCI to give greater attention to the welfare of members of the legal profession.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorRajeev SinghRajeev Singh is a Digital Content Producer with The Times of India. He covers politics, policies, defence, and conflicts for readers curious to know their implications. He loves digging into legal maxims and political trivia. On off days, when not turning pages or learning русский, he lives in the reverie of “what ifs” and “how abouts.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSC-ST Act Repeal, Creamy Layer Demand: Protesters Seek Major Overhaul Of India’s Reservation SystemBCI Chief Manan Mishra Rejects CJP’s Resignation Demand, Says Lawyers Can Never Be CockroachesH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And Innovate123PhotostoriesHair fall getting worse every monsoon? Expert explains what humidity, sweat and rainwater are doing to your scalp and how to prevent itFrom a net worth of over Rs 2,000 crores to a lavish house in Delhi: Shalini Passi’s luxurious lifestyleHow to wash citrus fruits properly to remove wax, germs and dirtMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligenceOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant trait123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

Vamsikrishna 0
DMK leaders at executive committee meet NEW DELHI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday unveiled a structural overhaul of its organisation following its defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in April, when it lost power after a single term.DMK’s executive committee, headed by party supremo and former chief minister MK Stalin, met at Anna Arivalayam, the party’s state headquarters in Chennai, and passed nine key resolutions aimed at radically restructuring the organisation.Addressing the meeting, Stalin acknowleded that the changes would be “stringent” and even “difficult” for some to accept.”The functioning of our party office-bearers is also one of the reasons for our defeat. We must first acknowledge our mistakes. We are going to make several changes in the party’s organisational structure. They will certainly be stringent, and for some, they may even be difficult to accept,” the former chief minister said.“Going forward, we are going to introduce age limits and terms of office for various organisational posts, according to the responsibilities involved. We are going to give a larger number of organisational responsibilities to newcomers. We can regain political success only by restructuring the party. We must carry out the organisational reforms as quickly as possible,” he added.Under the new blueprint, the DMK leadership has introduced strict age limits, a mandatory two-term cap for all posts and a major expansion of organisational districts, with the aim of professionalising party operations and facilitating generational succession.The DMK will increase the number of organisational districts from 78 to 110, with each district broadly covering two assembly constituencies to ensure more localised administration. Once Stalin formally releases the boundary maps for the 110 revamped districts, district executive committees will have to convene within 15 days under the supervision of the party headquarters to implement the transition.The standalone post of “city secretary” in major urban centres such as Coimbatore and Tambaram has also been abolished. Instead, urban zones will be redrawn based on voter density, with Chennai Corporation Area Committees averaging 40,000 voters and those in other corporations averaging 30,000 voters per committee.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFollowing Stalin’s defeat in his Kolathur Assembly constituency in Chennai, the DMK is now being led in the Tamil Nadu assembly by his son and former deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is now serving as the leader of the opposition.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. He also writes explainers to make these stories easier for readers to follow.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosH1N1 Cases Rise In Delhi: Health Minister Nadda Holds Meet, Reviews Swine Flu Situation‘Proportionate Response’: MEA Explains Bulldozer Action Outside Pakistan High Commission In Delhi4-Year-Old Viral Sensation Karga Tinkle EXCLUSIVE | “Don’t Call Me Chinese, I Am Indian”‘Making Provocative Remarks Against India For Years’: MEA Slams US Body Over RSS Sanctions CallRevanth Reddy’s US Trip Cancelled After MEA Denies Clearance, Telangana Delegation Goes AheadPellet-gun Row: Rahul Gandhi At Parliament Street Police Station To Lodge Complaint With DCP‘Don’t Politicise Our School’: Villagers Block CJP Visit As Party Alleges BJP Attack In RajasthanModi Pushes AI, Youth And Data Agenda, Tells Secretaries To Break Government Silos And InnovatePirates Hijack Two Ships Carrying 22 Indians Off Yemen And Somalia, Crew Safety Raises Concern‘NEET, Delimitation, Cauvery, Drugs’: Vijay’s Key Requests Before Amit Shah At Tamil Nadu Meeting123PhotostoriesMen with heart disease may face a higher cancer risk, study suggests: 7 simple ways to keep your heart healthy and happy10 bizarre luxury fashion trends that stunned the internet: From Margaret Qualley’s ‘barefoot’ Chanel shoes to Balenciaga’s trash bags5 bizarre foods created specifically for extreme environmentsThe psychology of being genuinely charming: Why making people feel seen and heard matters more than confidenceTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah: From Dilip Joshi, Amit Bhatt to Munmun Dutta, here’s how much popular actors earn per episode10 baby boy names inspired by wisdom, knowledge and intelligenceOptical Illusion personality test: What you spot first reveals your secret dominant traitH1N1 is rising again: Doctors explain why swine flu cases are increasing and how to stay protectedWorking out in extreme heat? How dehydration can reduce kidney function and raise the risk of acute kidney injuryRoad to longevity: 7 simple habits that may help ‘super-agers’ stay healthy beyond 100123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareTNEA counselling3 year practice ruleCM Revanth ReddyWeather tomorrowNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingMumbai Rape AirhostessReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash

DMK leaders at executive committee meet NEW DELHI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday unveiled a structural overhaul of its organisation following its defeat in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections in April, when it lost power after a single term.DMK’s executive committee, headed by party supremo and former chief minister MK Stalin, met at Anna Arivalayam, the party’s state headquarters in Chennai, and passed nine key resolutions aimed at radically restructuring the organisation.Addressing the meeting, Stalin acknowleded that the changes would be “stringent” and even “difficult” for some to accept.”The functioning of our party office-bearers is also one of the reasons for our defeat. We must first acknowledge our mistakes. We are going to make several changes in the party’s organisational structure. They will certainly be stringent, and for some, they may even be difficult to accept,” the former chief minister said.“Going forward, we are going to introduce age limits and terms of office for various organisational posts, according to the responsibilities involved. We are going to give a larger number of organisational responsibilities to newcomers. We can regain political success only by restructuring the party. We must carry out the organisational reforms as quickly as possible,” he added.Under the new blueprint, the DMK leadership has introduced strict age limits, a mandatory two-term cap for all posts and a major expansion of organisational districts, with the aim of professionalising party operations and facilitating generational succession.The DMK will increase the number of organisational districts from 78 to 110, with each district broadly covering two assembly constituencies to ensure more localised administration. Once Stalin formally releases the boundary maps for the 110 revamped districts, district executive committees will have to convene within 15 days under the supervision of the party headquarters to implement the transition.The standalone post of “city secretary” in major urban centres such as Coimbatore and Tambaram has also been abolished. Instead, urban zones will be redrawn based on voter density, with Chennai Corporation Area Committees averaging 40,000 voters and those in other corporations averaging 30,000 voters per committee.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesFollowing Stalin’s defeat in his Kolathur Assembly constituency in Chennai, the DMK is now being led in the Tamil Nadu assembly by his son and former deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is now serving as the leader of the opposition.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorKaran ManralKaran Manral is a journalist at the Times of India. He covers politics, social issues, and international affairs, exploring stories that affect people’s everyday lives. 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