New Delhi (Gurpreet Sigh): A prominent gathering of senior legal practitioners and members of the Supreme Court Bar Association assembled on the lawns of the Supreme Court to collectively recite the Preamble of the Constitution. Led by Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh alongside senior advocates Indira Jaising and S. Muralidhar, the demonstration formed part of the broader Save Democracy, Save Constitution campaign. The initiative was organized to express formal solidarity with youth and student groups protesting at Jantar Mantar against recent national examination paper leaks and the subsequent police response.
The gathering took place during the Supreme Court’s afternoon recess, drawing significant participation from both veteran advocates and junior members of the Bar. Carrying copies of the Constitution of India and national flags, the legal professionals read the foundational text aloud to reiterate constitutional guarantees surrounding justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. Notable participants included senior advocates Anand Grover, Anjana Prakash, Sanjay Ghose, Arundhati Katju, Mahalakshmi Pavani, Nandita Rao, P.V. Surendranath, Manali Singhal, Sangeetha Bharti, P.V. Dinesh, Shadan Farasat, Jayant Thakur, and Vrinda Grover.
Speaking to media representatives following the event, SCBA President Vikas Singh stated that the assembly was convened to demonstrate support for student demonstrators who faced unprovoked police action during recent public gatherings. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising emphasized that the legal fraternity has a professional and civic responsibility to uphold constitutional rights and demand accountability when peaceful assemblies encounter heavy-handed law enforcement measures. She remarked that standing before the highest judicial forum in support of student rights reflects the core institutional duty of the court to dispense justice.
The public demonstration follows formal resolutions passed by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association condemning police lathi charges and calling for an independent, time-bound judicial inquiry into the handling of the demonstrations. Additionally, over 650 members of the legal Bar issued a joint statement urging immediate accountability and medical assistance for injured students. The group reaffirmed that peaceful dissent and assembly remain protected fundamental freedoms under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b) of the Constitution, emphasizing that state actions must consistently adhere to principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.
