Anti-social and anti-national forces have hijacked student protests: BCI calls on legal fraternity to act

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a press release appealing to the legal fraternity, intellectuals and prudent citizens to intervene and help safeguard the nation amid ongoing student protests that it alleges has been taken over by anti-national elements.

With the title “An Appeal to the Intellectuals of the Country”, the statement by chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, claims that foreign adversaries are acting with the intent to destabilize India, and innocent students are being misled and misused. 

“Anti-social and anti-national forces have hijacked their agitation; the expressed objective of the anti-nationals is to undermine and ruin our country, as has occurred elsewhere in the recent past. These disruptive forces appear unable to reconcile themselves with India's economic progress, expanding global stature and development,” the statement says. 

The press release alleges that a few politicians with foreign loyalties are cunningly instigating and provoking younger generations to foment lawlessness. “Every prudent person recognizes that such individuals have no genuine concern for the peace and prosperity of our Bharat; instead they are dancing at the tune of enemy countries,” Mishra has said. 

“Such people will stop at nothing to grab power or bring about the country's ruin. They have no interest in the welfare of students or the nation. Their sole motive is to create lawlessness, destabilize India, and seize power, and they have pursued this aim for a long time. They want our country also to be ruined like Bangladesh and Nepal,” the release adds. 

Mishra has also alleged that “one unnamed politician” frequently travels abroad, meets anti-Indian figures including those who support terrorism and has been receiving huge funds intended to destabilize our country over the past decade.

Mishra has also alleged that to facilitate assaults on police and other disturbances, “experts in stone pelting have been brought from Jammu and Kashmir and other states into Delhi and other major cities”. 

“These miscreants are reportedly paid substantial sums to create disorder, assault police personnel, and damage public vehicles and property. Large scale social media campaigns have been orchestrated at the behest of Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and other countries, in collusion with a few political parties in India. These networks are operated from abroad and are misleading our youth by spreading distorted information”, the statement reads. 

Mishra also stated that it is the duty of the legal profession and other intellectuals to step forward and convey the truth to innocent students and the wider public. 

“It is the duty of the legal profession and of all intellectuals and prudent citizens to step forward and convey the truth to innocent students and the wider public,” the statement reads. 

Mishra also stressed that the “intellectually sound class” have acted as spokespersons for the helpless and defended the nation against foreign conspiracies and attacks. “When the country faces danger, lawyers and other professionals awaken public conscience and inspire citizens to resist injustice and the designs of hostile forces,” BCI has said. 

The press release outlines specific expectations from teachers, professors, professionals, parents and institutions. “Educational institutions should become spaces for informed dialogue and constitutional awareness, rather than allowing impressionable students to be drawn into violence or activities that may permanently damage their education, careers and future prospects,” Mishra said.

Mishra has also outlined that parents and guardians must remain attentive to the activities and influences affecting young people and ensure they are not exploited by persons seeking to use their energy and idealism for unlawful purposes. 

Mishra finally urged lawyers, student leaders, political parties and law enforcement agencies to cooperate constructively, speak truth to the youth, dissuade them from violence, and pursue lawful channels to restore calm. 

“Let unity, respect for the rule of law, and civic responsibility guide our response so that peace and democratic values prevail and let the selfish politicians fail,” Mishra concluded.