Lawyers to Recite Preamble, Sing National Anthem at Supreme Court in Protest Against Police Action During CJP March

Lawyers will recite the Preamble and sing the National Anthem at the Supreme Court lawn to protest the police crackdown during the Cockroach Janata Party-led Parliament march. Over 650 lawyers and legal bodies have demanded an impartial inquiry into alleged excessive force used against students and members of the Bar.

Amid growing criticism over the police crackdown during the Cockroach Janata Party-led march to Parliament, several lawyers are set to gather at the Supreme Court lawn to recite the Preamble of the Constitution and sing the National Anthem in a show of solidarity. The lawyers said the initiative is aimed at “saving the Constitution and democracy” in the country.

The gathering is scheduled to take place at the Supreme Court lawn around 1:15 pm on Thursday. Senior Advocate Indira Jaising has urged members of the legal fraternity to participate in the event while refraining from raising slogans.

A message circulating among Supreme Court lawyers’ groups since Wednesday night called for participation under the theme, “Save Democracy, Save Constitution”.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Association for Advocates-on-Record issued public statements condemning the use of force by Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force against protesters during the July 20 march to Parliament led by the Cockroach Janata Party.

In its resolution, the SCBA strongly condemned the alleged use of force against students during the protest. The association stated, “The Supreme Court Bar Association strongly condemns the brutal lathi charge on innocent students, which resulted in several students sustaining serious injuries. Members of the legal fraternity, including members of the SCBA, were also injured during the incident.”

The association said members of the Bar, including SCBA members, suffered injuries during the incident. It described the use of excessive and disproportionate force against peaceful students and members of the legal profession as unacceptable in a democratic society.

The SCBA called upon the authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial, and time-bound inquiry into the incident, identify those responsible for the alleged excessive use of force, and take appropriate action according to law.

The association further stated, “The use of excessive and disproportionate force against peaceful students and members of the Bar is deeply disturbing and wholly unacceptable in a democratic society. The SCBA calls upon the concerned authorities to conduct an immediate, impartial and time-bound inquiry into the incident, identify those responsible for the excessive use of force, and take appropriate action in accordance with law.”

More than 650 lawyers on Wednesday issued a statement describing the police action during the CJP-led student march to Parliament as an attack on constitutional values.

The SCBA also reiterated its demand for an impartial and time-bound inquiry into the police action.

The developments occurred even as the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a petition challenging the police action. During the mentioning of the matter, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant refused to consider video evidence and told the petitioner, “Don’t waste our time.”

The developments also coincided with proceedings in the Delhi High Court, which on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre and Delhi Police seeking their responses to three Public Interest Litigations alleging excessive use of force by police during the protest march.

The planned gathering of lawyers at the Supreme Court lawn has emerged as a significant expression of concern from members of the legal community, with participants seeking to highlight issues related to constitutional protections, democratic values, and accountability in the wake of the protest crackdown.