'Historic Event': Bar Council Chairman On Request For Court Holiday For Ram Mandir Inauguration

Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra wrote to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Wednesday to emphasise the religious and cultural significance of the approaching event.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.

Source : X/@ANI

The Bar Council of India has requested a judicial holiday for all courts on 22 January to commemorate the Ayodhya Ram Mandir pran pratishtha event, news agency ANI reported. Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra wrote to Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Wednesday to emphasise the religious and cultural significance of the approaching event. The letter further argued that a holiday would allow members of the legal profession and court personnel to attend or watch the ceremonies in Ayodhya and associated activities overseas.

Speaking with media, Mishra stated: "The religious, historic and cultural significance of this event is important for the entire country. Even in most of the countries of the world, the people are celebrating it. So keeping in view I have made a request to the Chief Justice of India to declare this 22nd January as a holiday and as a lawyer, as a member of the legal fraternity, we have also taken into account the importance of the judicial functionings. It should not suffer. Therefore, at the same time, I have said that this holiday can be compensated by opening the Supreme Court and High Court on any Saturday as Saturdays are normally the closing date for them."

#WATCH | Delhi: Chairman, Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra speaks on his letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud requesting a judicial holiday across all courts on January 22 to mark the Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. (18.01)

He says, "The… pic.twitter.com/DEePAh4Lwf

— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2024

The BCI indicated that matters requiring immediate attention might be addressed through special arrangements or delayed for the following working day. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' event at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya next week. The ceremonies began on Tuesday and will last for seven days. On January 22, an idol of Ram Lalla will be enthroned in the temple's sanctuary.

The Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has invited thousands of VIP visitors to attend the celebration. According to reports, the Trust has invited over 11,000 people countrywide to attend the Pran Pratistha event. Special arrangements are being made to deliver distinctive presents to all participants.