The Uttar Pradesh unit of the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) organised a seminar on Advocates’ Protection Act on Augusy 17 at the Madan Mohan Malviya Hall of the Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench. The keynote address was delivered by Clifton D’ Rozario, AILAJ’s National General Secretary and senior advocate of the Bangalore High Court.
Clifton stressed that advocates are central to justice between government and people, and governments must enact a protection law. He noted that while Rajasthan and Karnataka have such legislation, elsewhere attacks on advocates are rising, with over 400 murders and violent assaults on lawyers annually. He warned against increasing government interference in the judiciary, political appointments of judges, and pressures on advocates from investigative agencies.
Other speakers included AILAJ Vice President Nasir Shah, who highlighted the absence of pension and social security for advocates, Prabhu Singh (Central Committee member and President, Dudhi Bar, Sonbhadra), who called for enhanced welfare funds and stipends for young lawyers, and Dr. Nafees, who emphasised lawyers’ duty to defend constitutional and democratic rights.
In his presidential address, senior advocate Balram Yadav underlined the urgent need for a mass movement to secure an Advocates’ Protection Act. The seminar was conducted by senior advocate Saurabh Chandra, and saw participation from lawyers across Uttar Pradesh including Allahabad, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Pilibhit, and Lucknow.
