Story perspectives

Delhi lawyers wear black ribbons over alleged police excesses

By Drooid · Oct 14, 2026, 4:20 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court Bar Association asked advocates to wear white ribbons on Tuesday in solidarity with police-manhandled lawyers.
Delhi High Court Bar Association urged members to wear black ribbons on Monday, 12 October, protesting alleged police excesses.
Lawyers gathered at Delhi High Court on 12 October to read the Constitution’s Preamble and observe a minute-long silence at 1.15 pm.
Bombay Bar Association condemned police excesses and lawyer detentions on 10 October 2026, calling the actions unconstitutional.

History

Historical Context

During India’s Emergency, declared by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on 25 June 1975, civil liberties were suspended and dissent was criminalized. The government detained roughly 1.5 million citizens, including senior advocates from the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Delhi High Court Bar Association. Today's ribbon protests by the Supreme Court Bar Association, Delhi High Court Bar Association, and Bombay Bar Association echo those 1975 lawyer demonstrations against police excesses. The historical backlash highlighted the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democracy, suggesting that renewed legal solidarity could pressure contemporary authorities toward reform.

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Story summary

Supreme Court Bar Association asked advocates to wear white ribbons on Tuesday in solidarity with police-manhandled lawyers.
Delhi High Court Bar Association urged members to wear black ribbons on Monday, 12 October, protesting alleged police excesses.
Lawyers gathered at Delhi High Court on 12 October to read the Constitution’s Preamble and observe a minute-long silence at 1.15 pm.
Bombay Bar Association condemned police excesses and lawyer detentions on 10 October 2026, calling the actions unconstitutional.

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