BCI Chief Alleges Foreign Interference in Student Protests, Warns of Destabilization Efforts
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, India – Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI) and a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, has issued a stark warning regarding ongoing student protests across the nation.
In a comprehensive four-page public appeal, Mishra asserted that these demonstrations have been infiltrated by anti-social and anti-national elements, allegedly acting under the influence of foreign adversaries and certain political figures with the explicit aim of destabilizing India.
Mishra’s appeal, titled “An Appeal to the Intellectuals of the Country,” calls upon a broad spectrum of professionals including lawyers, educators, medical practitioners, engineers, journalists, and social workers to unite in safeguarding the nation’s integrity.
He contended that “foreign adversaries are acting with the intent to destabilize India” and that “innocent students are being misled and misused” by these forces.
He further alleged that a select group of politicians, described as having “foreign loyalties” and “foreign blood flowing in their veins,” are cunningly instigating younger generations to foster lawlessness.
These individuals, according to Mishra, prioritize external agendas over the peace and prosperity of India, effectively “dancing at the tune of enemy countries.”
The BCI Chairman specifically claimed that these “anti-social and anti-national elements” have infiltrated the “so-called student protests” at the behest of these politicians, with objectives ranging from creating widespread lawlessness to seizing power and destabilizing the country.
He also accused one unnamed politician of frequent international travel to meet “anti-Indian figures, including those who support terrorism,” and of receiving substantial funds from entities like George Soros over the past decade, purportedly to destabilize India.
Further escalating his allegations, Mishra claimed that specialists in stone-pelting were brought from various states, including Jammu and Kashmir, to major cities like Delhi to incite violence against police and public property.
He stated that these individuals are reportedly compensated handsomely to create disorder, assault law enforcement, and damage public assets.
Additionally, he highlighted large-scale social media campaigns orchestrated by countries such as Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh, aimed at fuelling unrest.
Citing recent incidents of “nightly gatherings of criminals” engaging in stone-pelting and assaults on police, Mishra asserted that “no real student would act in such a manner,” concluding that the protests have been “completely hijacked by malicious elements.”
In response, the BCI Chairman urged legal professionals and other societal leaders to guide students toward lawful and peaceful forms of expression.
He emphasized the role of teachers and professors in engaging with young people to promote constructive dialogue, while lawyers and other leaders should persuade students to disassociate from “conspiracies of anti-social elements and dangerous foreign designs.” He also called upon doctors, engineers, journalists, and scientists to uphold reason, verify facts, and discourage the spread of rumours, hatred, and calls for violence.
Mishra implored parents and guardians to ensure that young people are not exploited for unlawful purposes, stressing that “violence, destruction and assault can never be justified as democratic participation.
” He concluded his appeal by reaffirming his respect for all political parties but underscored that “the nation comes first,” urging all citizens to stand for the Constitution, act courageously, and protect public order and the future of students.
It is important to note that, in contrast to the BCI Chairman’s stance, several prominent bar bodies, including the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Bombay Bar Association, have condemned the police action against student protesters and called for independent investigations into alleged excessive force.
The Supreme Court Bar Association President, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, also formally requested action against officials responsible for the use of force and demanded the suspension of the Delhi Police Commissioner.
Furthermore, Supreme Court lawyers organized a Preamble recitation to express solidarity with the protesters.
