In a major display of dissent, lawyers at the Rajasthan High Court's principal seat in Jodhpur held a loud and angry protest on Friday. Their target was Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. The demonstration was sparked by a controversial decision to schedule a significant number of court matters for hearing on the last working day of the month.
Why a 48-Year-Old Tradition Was Broken
This scheduling move directly clashed with a deeply rooted custom. For the past 48 years, advocates in Jodhpur have boycotted all court activities on the final day of each month. This long-standing practice is a form of protest supporting their demand for an integrated high court in Jodhpur. The demand gained urgency after the establishment of a circuit bench in Jaipur.
Shiv Lal Barwar, the General Secretary of the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association, strongly criticised the acting chief justice. Barwar stated that Justice Sharma disregarded this decades-old tradition by issuing a cause list for that day. He described the decisions as being made "without consideration of the Bar."
Massive Rally and Slogans Against the CJ
The unrest quickly escalated into a large-scale protest. Thousands of lawyers gathered in the high court's galleries, corridors, and the iconic dome area. They raised slogans condemning Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, labelling his actions as arbitrary. The legal community argued that such moves undermine the unity and long-held traditions of Jodhpur's bar.
Formal Demand for a Permanent Chief Justice
Moving beyond protests, the lawyers have taken formal action. They have written to the Chief Justice of India demanding the urgent appointment of a permanent chief justice for the Rajasthan High Court. In their communication, they emphasised that this appointment is no longer a mere formality but an absolute necessity.
The lawyers stressed that a permanent chief justice is essential for ensuring judicial stability and protecting the rights of litigants. They reaffirmed their determination to uphold their traditions and collective struggle for a unified high court in Jodhpur, viewing the recent scheduling as a direct threat to their cause.
