Lawyers Protest Outside Supreme Court Against ‘Hindu Genocide’, Court Observes 2-Minute Silence, SCBA & SCAORA Pass Resolutions

Around 300 Lawyers from across the Supreme Court community, led by Senior Advocates, staged a powerful protest outside the Apex Court on Wednesday, following the barbaric terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22. The  Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also passed formal resolutions, which unequivocally condemned the attack and called for justice and national unity in the face of religiously motivated violence. 

Lawyers gathered for the protest following a message that read, "Supreme Court lawyers are coming together to condemn the cowardly terrorist attack on Hindus. In solidarity we will be wearing white ribbons on our coat the entire day. Thereafter we will be meeting at 1.30 PM in the Supreme Court lawns to maintain silence for 2 minutes and pay our respects to the fallen victims. This is a strong message to stop the Hindu Genocide. Please come in large numbers."

Speaking at the protest, Senior Advocate Aman Lekhi said, "This is a reality which is shocking and outrageous. And we are livid... And extremely angry, which is the reason why we are congregating here in the Supreme Court to register our protest. Because we feel that unless we raise our voice and unless we show that every life has value… you cannot devalue life on religion…to undress, to check the religious identity... To make a person recite religious verses and to make a spectacle of the killing is something which is disgusting and disgraceful. And we are here for that reason to protest it…And we want to send a message across that wherever such events happen, you cannot devalue life. And you cannot devalue life on religion.”

“ You cannot say this is just Kashmir, that this is an actor who is not an Indian. The question is, this is part of a systematic practice. And a systematic practice which has now made a habit of in some way dehumanizing a category. Now we are used to calling dehumanization and limiting the categories. This shows it's cutting across categories over here. And in a country like India, governed by law, where some basic respect should be guaranteed, for Hindus to be treated in this manner, in the utter disgrace in which they have been treated, even in death, is something which we strongly condemn", he added.

The Supreme Court also issued a press release and expressed its deep anguish and condemned the cowardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The full Court unanimously adopted a resolution today condemning the act of terrorism. The Court, in its resolution, stated that, "This diabolical act of mindless violence has shaken the conscience of all and is a stark reminder of the brutality and inhumanity that terrorism unleashes. Supreme Court of India pays its respectful tribute to the innocent lives snuffed out brutally and prematurely while also expressing its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May the departed souls rest in peace and may those who were injured recover soon. The nation stands with the victims and their families in this hour of indescribable grief. The attack on tourists, who were merely enjoying the natural beauty of the Crown Jewel of India i.e. Kashmir, is undoubtedly an affront to the values of humanity and the sanctity of life and this Court strongly condemns the same."

The judges, lawyers, members of the staff, and all other persons present in the Court and in the Registry observed two minutes of silence expressing solidarity with the victims as well as their bereaved families.

A condolence meeting was also held at the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Srinagar, which was attended by the Judges of the High Court, Deputy Solicitor General of India (Srinagar), Additional Advocate Generals, Senior Advocates, Advocates practicing before the High Court, as well as Members and staff of the High Court Registry.