- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:01 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- BCI Chairman Mishra condemns "legal cockroaches" remark by CJP founder.
- Mishra defends lawyers as intellectuals, warns against derogatory labels.
- Questions resignation demands, links to NALSAR enrollment controversy.
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has hit back at Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke over the “legal cockroaches” remark, saying lawyers are “intellectuals” and warning that the legal community will not tolerate being labelled “cockroaches.”
Reacting to a protest by lawyers at the Bar Council of India office, Mishra questioned attempts to target the institution and demand his resignation through social media posts.
“Do you want to make a mockery of an institution like the Bar Council of India? Do you think you can force the resignation of the Chairman of the Bar Council of India, who represents 2.5 to 2.6 million people across the country, simply by circulating frivolous posts on social media?” Mishra said.
VIDEO | Delhi: Reacting to lawyers' protest at the Bar Council of India office, Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra (@MishraManan01 ) says, "Do you want to make a mockery of an institution like the Bar Council of India? Do you think you can force the resignation of… pic.twitter.com/svM4HJOxRn
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 21, 2026
He claimed that, "people from the “Cockroach Party” along with certain so-called “young” individuals and their followers had tried to turn the issue into a social media campaign, adding that only around 25 to 30 people attended the protest."
Mishra said lawyer Raman Sharma had raised demands and expressed a willingness to sit down and discuss the grievances, but criticised what he described as attempts to make a mockery of the BCI through social media.
“The Bar Council of India is the apex body for lawyers and a highly respected institution,” he said.
Mishra Objects To 'Legal Cockroaches' Label
Mishra then directly addressed the “legal cockroaches” phrase used by the CJP. “And as for the talk of ‘legal cockroaches’ laying siege to the Bar Council of India, don't you dare use the term ‘legal cockroaches’ ever again. I am telling you this,” he said.
“A lawyer cannot be a cockroach. Lawyers belong to a respected class; they are a highly intelligent group. So, do not tarnish this respected, intelligent class by labelling them ‘cockroaches.’ The legal community and the young advocates of this country will never tolerate such a thing.”
The remarks come amid a continuing confrontation between Mishra and the CJP following the controversy over the BCI's now-withdrawn directive concerning the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law. The CJP had backed protests seeking Mishra's resignation, while its founder Abhijeet Dipke had used the phrase “legal cockroaches” in a post.
Sharing a post on X, Dipke wrote, “Manan, it’s done, bro! All legal cockroaches must join this protest.”
The BCI had initially directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 graduates as advocates, but the order was subsequently withdrawn following widespread criticism.
The dispute has since expanded from the NALSAR controversy into a broader confrontation over the BCI chairman's leadership, the protest against him and the language being used by both sides.
Why Did The BCI Target NALSAR's 2026 Batch?
The dispute began after a section of NALSAR students objected to the proposed invitation of CJI Surya Kant as the chief guest at their convocation. The students had raised concerns over the invitation and reportedly sought a reconsideration of the decision.
The BCI subsequently directed State Bar Councils not to process the enrolment of NALSAR's entire 2026 graduating batch. The move triggered an immediate backlash from students, lawyers and legal groups.
Mishra explained his position by saying that the students had decided to boycott the CJI, who is also the university's Chancellor.
“The students of NALSAR University, Hyderabad decided to boycott the Chief Justice of India, who is also their Chancellor, and refused to attend the convocation which he was to preside over,” Mishra said.
He added, “As Chairman of the Bar Council of India, I found this extremely objectionable. As a result, an order was issued that their enrollment would not be processed. However, within 15 minutes, the order was withdrawn, and the students' complaints were resolved.”