On Saturday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi disagreed with a suggestion by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to lift a 16-year-old ban on strikes by lawyers, wondering why there should be a strike at all.
CJI Gogoi said, "I don't think it is an issue at all. Why go into the legalities. Why should there be a strike? I am sure there won't be any".
Justice Gogoi's response came after Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra raised the issue of lifting the ban at a BCI event to felicitate the new CJI.
It may be mentioned that in a 2002 judgment, the Supreme Court had held that lawyers have no right to go on strike or give a call for boycott, not even a token strike.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi the CJI's view was also shared by Justice Arun Mishra, who reminded the lawyers that their absence in court will affect people's liberty and deny many of their rights.
Demanding lifting of the ban, the BCI Chairman said that if the mouth of lawyers are shut it will destroy the very democratic setup of the country". "The legal fraternity has a great faith on the CJI. We are sure that you will restore our freedom," he said.
