The legal community in Guwahati has taken a firm stand against a major governmental decision, as members of the Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) initiated a three-day hunger strike on Thursday. This drastic measure is a protest against the proposed relocation of the Gauhati High Court complex from its current location to a site in North Guwahati, situated approximately 30 kilometers away across the Brahmaputra river.
Why Lawyers Are Protesting: The Core Issues
The hunger strike, led by GHCBA President KN Choudhury, commenced at 10 AM in front of the historic old building of the Gauhati High Court. This action follows an emergent extra-ordinary general meeting held by the association on Tuesday. The lawyers' primary grievance is the government's plan to establish a new high court complex as part of a judicial township project at Rangmahal in North Guwahati. The foundation stone for this new complex is scheduled to be laid by the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, on January 11.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the GHCBA clarified that the hunger strike is a "peaceful and democratic expression of its considered stand." The association has also decided to collectively abstain from the upcoming foundation stone laying ceremony, reinforcing their opposition.
Overwhelming Opposition and a Unilateral Decision
The bar association's stance is not a sudden development but a consolidated position backed by a democratic process. Last month, the GHCBA conducted a referendum among its members regarding the proposed shift. The results were unequivocal: nearly 86% of the voting members opposed the government's relocation plan. A senior bar member stated that this referendum made the lawyers' position crystal clear.
The lawyers argue that moving the principal seat of the high court will cause significant inconvenience to both legal practitioners and the litigants who seek justice. "We have been protesting in a democratic way for a long time. The government has not paid any attention to the protests," a lawyer involved in the protest highlighted. The legal fraternity feels sidelined, claiming the decision was made unilaterally without proper consultation with the bar association. They further question the logic behind choosing Rangmahal in North Guwahati for the new complex.
What Happens Next?
The hunger strike is planned to continue on Friday and Sunday, with members taking turns to participate. The GHCBA has formally requested all its members to honour and adhere to the collective decision of the General Body, which has repeatedly reaffirmed its opposition to the shift through earlier resolutions and the referendum.
This protest puts a spotlight on a growing conflict between the judiciary's infrastructure development plans and the practical concerns of the legal community it serves. The coming days, leading up to the January 11 ceremony, will be crucial in determining whether the authorities will engage in dialogue with the protesting lawyers or proceed with the planned relocation.
