New Delhi, October 13: Lawyers staged a protest at the Supreme Court premises on Tuesday, condemning the alleged assault and detention of their colleagues by police during ongoing anti-CEC demonstrations against the Election Commission (EC). The advocates read the Preamble of the Constitution. They observed a silent protest to express solidarity with the detained lawyers and citizens, while reaffirming their commitment to constitutional values and the right to peaceful protest.

A lawyer said the gathering was organised to stand in solidarity with colleagues and citizens who were allegedly subjected to police action while participating in peaceful demonstrations.

“We have all gathered here today to show our solidarity with our colleagues and with citizens of the country who have been brutalised for staging a peaceful protest. We are here to reaffirm our faith in constitutional values and to rededicate ourselves to the Constitution,” the lawyer said.

Emphasising the responsibility of the legal fraternity in safeguarding constitutional principles, the lawyer added, “It is the job of every lawyer to fight for the Constitution, to uphold the Constitution, and we today resolve again to fight for the Constitution, which is the primary job of a lawyer.”

Another advocate said the protest was prompted by the detention of lawyers near their chambers and the Supreme Court, asserting that expressing dissent peacefully was a legitimate constitutional right.

“Our advocate colleagues were detained, and we believe that it is their legitimate constitutional right. They have every right to raise their voice against the government, any individual or any institution on matters they believe are right,” the lawyer said.

The advocates also stressed the importance of preserving the independence and integrity of constitutional institutions, maintaining that political differences should not undermine their collective commitment to the Constitution.

“What unites all of us, regardless of which party we support, which side we belong to or what our ideology is, is our Constitution and our institutions,” the lawyer said.

The protesting lawyers thanked the Chief Justice of India for allowing them to assemble and for intervening in the matter. They said the reading of the Preamble and the silent demonstration were intended to reaffirm their commitment to constitutional rights and express solidarity with those detained.

The advocates also clarified that the gathering was not affiliated with any political party, describing it as an effort to defend constitutional freedoms and uphold the integrity of democratic institutions.

Condemning the detention, another advocate said the legal fraternity had already issued a statement and adopted a resolution on the matter.

“The detention of lawyers has been condemned. We have already issued a statement and resolution, and that resolution covers everything. In our resolution, it is very clear that the detention of lawyers is condemned. It is completely illegal, and it was not required,” the advocate said.

The protest comes a day after INDIA bloc leaders and supporters, led by Rahul Gandhi, marched along Barakhamba Road towards the Supreme Court amid demonstrations against the Election Commission. Subsequently, 11 opposition leaders filed a petition in the apex court on Monday challenging the EC’s decisions concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.