As part of the all-India agitation, several lawyers from the city on Wednesday took out a protest march against the Higher Education and Research Bill and five other Bills proposed by the Centre.
Advocates said the proposed Bills would take away the autonomy of the Bar Council of India and the State Bar Councils. It would take away independence of advocates. Mangalore Bar Association president S.P. Chengappa and other advocates addressed the protestors.
Advocates raised slogans and marched towards the office of the Deputy Commissioner braving the light drizzle. At the Deputy Commissioner’s office, they burnt an effigy of Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal. They submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda.
The other Bills being opposed are: the National Accreditation Regulatory Authority For Higher Education Institutions Bill, the Foreign Educational Institution Regulation of Entry and Operation Bill, the Prohibition of Unfair Practices in Higher Educational Institution Bill, the National Law Schools Bill, and the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill.
The advocates would not attend court on Thursday as well.
There was not much activity in court halls following the absence of advocates. None of the Notaries were found functioning on the court premises. Office personnel of some advocates were seen making efforts to file applications before the courts.
Several accused and witnesses were found waiting before the Sessions Court and Magistrate Court. One of them was Yamunappa, a witness in an accident case that happened last year in Panambur.
“This is the third time I am coming to give evidence. I think I would have to come once again. I was to be examined by an advocate from an insurance company,” said Mr. Yamunappa, who works in the New Mangalore Port. Mr. Yamunappa was waiting for the case before a Magistrate Court.
“This is the second day of my questioning. The court will be recording my evidence today too,” said Vittal, who was waiting at a Sessions Court.
