Advocates stage stir against education bill
‘It affects vital, basic structures of Advocates Act’
Mangalore Bar Association staged a protest in front of the District Court on Friday against the ‘Higher Education and Reserach Bill-2011’ of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
Addressing the protest, Mangalore Bar Association President S P Chengappa said that the bill which is introduced in Rajya Sabha by Central Government, provides for total control of Legal Education including prescribing of syllabus and curriculum by a National Commission.
“This is in way of intruding in the autonomy and independence of the legal profession,” he said and added that the Bill affects the vital and basic structures of the Advocates Act, 1961 under which total autonomy and independence was given to the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils to regulate the Legal Profession and Legal Education.
The Bill proposes to take away the duties and functions entrusted to the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils and it proposes to vest all these powers with a National Commission constituting a few academicians.
“Mangalore Bar Association strongly condemns the attempt of the Ministry of Human Resource Development by which it has tried to encroach upon the provision of the Advocates Act, 1961 with a view to use the functions and duties of elected bodies comprising of more than 15 lakh advocates of the country,” said Chengappa and added that the bill in its present form will lead to bureaucratisation.
The Mangalore Bar Association is on firm belief that the proposed new legislation by lowering the status of the legal profession is stealthily trying to invite foreign firms to settle down in India thereby depriving legal professional in India of its legitimate claims. The type of confusion this legislation will create will only bring down the name of the legal profession and make way for inviting foreigners unto Indian soil, he said.
Action against cops
The Association pleaded for legal action to be taken against cops who attacked advocate Balakrishna and his friend in Bangalore. The advocates had not produced his license when the cops stopped him for checking. The cops should have given a notice, but they have attacked the lawyer.
Even the higher police officials have not taken any action on the constables. Hence, the cops are responsible for the protest to go to its extreme in Bangalore.
“Immediate legal action should be taken against these cops and the state government should provide compensation to the victims,” demanded the association.
