Renaming of SC Library: SCBA resolves to name library as “SCBA Library II” after Mukul Rohatgi, AM Singhvi make a joint proposal

After the highly public spat between the Supreme Court Bar Association and Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, it appears that the issue has been resolved with the SCBA deciding to rename the library as “Supreme Court Bar Association Library No. II”..This decision comes after the SCBA received a joint proposal from Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi and Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi wherein it was stated that no names would be “attached to the Library”..The letter, co-authored by Rohatgi and Singhvi states that,. “We members of the Bar are deeply distressed at the unsavory controversy which has found its way into the media and sought to tarnish the image of SCBA which is in order to correct the situation and set the right public perception we suggest as follows1. Library would be named as Supreme Court Library No.2. No names would be attached to the Library.2. A large wooden plaque within the Library be positioned prominently with mounted inscriptions stating the name of the donor, year of donation and the amount….”.The SCBA for its part has accepted both these recommendations, even while adding “Bar Association” to the proposed name of the library. This marks a remarkable departure from the confrontational atmosphere evidenced a weeks ago..As reported less than a fortnight ago, there appeared to be a complete show down between the SCBA and Abhishek Manu Singhvi. The Executive Committee of the SCBA has passed a resolution on July 3 that Library No. II of the Supreme Court would no longer be described as Dr. LM Singhvi Library and has also resolved that all plaques and plates describing it as Dr. LM Singhvi Library will be removed. It was also resolved that Library would be named after Awadh Behari Rohatgi, father of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, who contributed Rs. 25 lakh for the library..Abhishek Singhvi had come down harshly on this decision, saying that such behavior on the part of the SCBA was an example of “crass commercialization”.