The advocates are going to strike on Wednesday and Thursday across the country against the HER (Higher Education and Research) Bill. The advocates' body expressed displeasure over the adamant attitude of HRD ministry to regulerate the legal education in the country. The Bar Council of India representatives stated that in case government doesn't agree to their demands even after two days strike, then lawyers from all over the country would stage protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in the first week of August, the time when the winter sessions of parliament will start.

It may be noted that the Advocates Act 1961 gives complete control to the Bar Council of India to regulate the legal education in the country. The proposed HER Bill will apparently limit the role of BCI as legal education would come under ministry of HRD in case the bill is introduced. The proposed bill would also give permission to the government for allowing the functioning of foreign law institutions in the country.

AW Phani