At a grand felicitation ceremony in New Delhi, Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra delivered a stirring speech in honour of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, urging systemic reform to empower ‘common lawyers’ and ensure inclusive representation in the higher judiciary. Citing Justice Gavai’s unique background, Mishra called for merit-based elevation of deserving legal professionals without elite lineage.
‘No Godfathers Needed’: A Call for Merit-Based Elevation in Judiciary
In a rare public appeal during a felicitation ceremony for Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra emphasized the urgent need to break the hegemony of elite networks within India’s legal profession. Calling for equal opportunity for “lawyers with no godfathers,” Mishra said the current Chief Justice’s tenure should become a turning point for judicial inclusivity and social justice.
“Those who are not the wards of judges but who are deserving must get a chance,” Mishra said, addressing a packed auditorium in New Delhi. “Common lawyers across the country look up to you with hope. This is the time to ensure merit-based elevation and representation from all sections—castes, communities, and regions.”
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Mishra’s remarks drew attention to the long-standing concern that the Indian legal and judicial appointment systems often favour those from privileged or dynastic backgrounds, sidelining competent professionals without connections.
Justice Gavai: Symbol of Rural Roots and Constitutional Equality
Justice Gavai’s appointment as India’s 52nd Chief Justice has been described as symbolically and historically significant. A first-generation lawyer from a farming family in rural Maharashtra, Justice Gavai is not only the first Buddhist CJI but also the second from a Scheduled Caste background—a fact Mishra highlighted with pride and optimism.
“This is not just an individual achievement—it represents the Indian Constitution’s commitment to equality and social justice,” Mishra said. “Lakhs of lawyers, especially those from humble beginnings, see in him a reflection of themselves.”
While Justice Gavai had earlier stated he would not accept any post-retirement government positions, Mishra gently nudged the CJI to reconsider if the nation requires his services later. “Your opinion is respected, but sir, if the country needs you, you should not say ‘no’.”
Systemic Concerns: Judicial Backlog, Representation, and Exclusion
Mishra didn’t shy away from highlighting pressing institutional challenges. He pointed to the backlog of over 81,000 cases in the Supreme Court and numerous judicial vacancies across High Courts, stating these were the key issues that the new CJI must address head-on.
He also issued a critique of recent exclusionary practices, including the Supreme Court Bar Association’s refusal to hold a farewell for Justice Bela Trivedi and the lack of representation of “common lawyers” in the recent National Mediation Conference in Delhi. “We cannot expect mediation or reform to succeed if it excludes the very lawyers who represent India’s legal soul,” he warned.
On the BCI’s decision to permit entry of foreign lawyers and law firms into India, Mishra reassured the legal community that reciprocity would be the guiding principle. “Only lawyers from countries where our own can practice will be allowed,” he affirmed, addressing growing anxieties about global competition in the Indian legal market.