SC Advocates Recite Constitution’s Preamble in Solidarity With Protesting Students

NEW DELHI, July 23: A group of advocates at the Supreme Court on Thursday recited the Preamble to the Constitution as part of the “Save Democracy, Save Constitution” campaign, expressing solidarity with students protesting at Jantar Mantar and opposing the alleged police action against them. The recitation was led during the Supreme Court’s lunch recess by senior advocates Indira Jaising and S. Muralidhar. Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President and senior advocate Vikas Singh also participated in the event. Addressing reporters, Indira Jaising said the gathering was meant to support students and seek justice for them. “We are here to stand with the students. We are here to stand on the side of justice. We are here to demand justice for the students. We are not here to agitate for ourselves. This is not about us,” she said. She added that the issue concerns the rights of students and that lawyers have a duty to stand before the Supreme Court in support of justice. “This concerns the rights of students, and it is the duty of lawyers to stand before the Supreme Court and demand justice for them. The role and function of the Supreme Court of India is to dispense justice. That is why we are here, in the temple of justice, with our demands,” Jaising said. The demonstration was held in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a student-led movement protesting alleged examination paper leaks and irregularities in the recruitment and examination system. The protest at Jantar Mantar, which began on June 20, has gained momentum in recent weeks with the participation of activist Sonam Wangchuk and students associated with the All India Students’ Association (AISA), some of whom have launched a hunger strike demanding action over the alleged irregularities.