An attempt by Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan to convince agitating advocates to call off their ongoing stir failed as a delegation that called on him at the Raj Bhavan on Monday politely turned down his appeal.
Some senior advocates including president, Telangana High Court Advocates Association, Gandra Mohan Rao earlier in the day called on Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan called on him and urged his intervention. When contacted, Mr. Rao said the Governor had urged them to call off the agitation that began on June 6, saying legal work was being affected across the State.
The Governor is understood to have told the advocates that he would do whatever he could to escalate the matter to the powers-that-be. Pointing out that the Chief Justice of India, Justice T.S. Thakur, was also seized of the matter, he said in his own capacity, he would take it up Acting Chief Justice, Dilip B. Bhosale. However, the advocates declined to pay heed to his appeal and said they would not withdraw until the suspensions of 11 Judicial Officers and 11 judicial staff were taken back.
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As the days go by and the stir continued, a large section of advocates, especially at the Nampally Criminal Courts expressed their anguish, asking why they themselves were being asked to boycott work when their colleagues, government pleaders, public prosecutors continued with their work at the High Court. At a meeting of advocates, president of the Federation of Bar Associations of Telangana State, G. Jithender Reddy, said there was definitely such a feeling but added however that the Federation per se could not withdraw the boycott.
When contacted, Mr. Mohan Rao quipped that there was no boycott whatsoever at the High Court, except for two days. If there was a boycott at an institution like the High Court, it would move heaven and earth for sure, he said.
As part of the agitation programme announced earlier, advocates gathered at several places near idols of the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and symbolically lodged their protest after garlanding the idols. In some locations, striking advocates garlanded portraits of Dr. Ambedkar and raised slogans.
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At the Munsif Court in Upparapally of Rajendra Nagar, is said that there was some protest when Judicial Officers apparently hailing from Andhra Pradesh did not allow advocates from Telangana to enter the Court Hall. Police intervened and defused the situation.
Meanwhile, it is understood that a delegation of judicial employees led by Laxma Reddy were to meet the Governor at 6 p.m. on Monday.