The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has directed its members to wear white ribbons pinned to their coats and assemble in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at 1:15 PM on Tuesday, October 13, to observe a one-minute silence in solidarity with advocates who were allegedly mistreated by the Delhi Police during protests on October10. The move comes barely two days after clashes erupted between lawyers and police outside the office of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar.

In a circular issued on Monday, SCBA Honorary Secretary Pragya Baghel said that a majority of the executive committee had approved the action in line with a resolution adopted on October10. The circular described the gesture as a peaceful expression of unity with members of the Bar who, it claimed, had been "manhandled" and "illegally detained" by police personnel.

Simultaneously, a group of 100 alumni, students, faculty members and staff of Harvard University issued a statement dated October12 condemning what they termed " police brutality , unlawful detention , and violations of constitutional rights of all peaceful protestors" in Delhi on October10 . The Harvard group particularly expressed solidarity with Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat , a 2009 graduate of Harvard Law School, and Mehr Pasricha, Policy Head of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and a 2025 graduate of Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

White Ribbonns as a Symbol of Unity

The SCBA’s call for white ribbons is seen as a measured but firm response to the events of October10, when lawyers participating in a protest against the appointment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar alleged that police used excessive force. Videos circulat ed on social media showed scuffles between bar members and law enforcement pers onnel. The SCBA had earlier on the same day passed a resolution denouncing the police conduct.

"Members are also requested to gather in front of the Gandhi Statue at 1:15 PM on October13 to observe a one-minute silence in solidarity with members of the bar," stated the circular signed by Baghel. The venue—a prominent spot within the Supreme Court premis es—underscores the institutional weight behind the protest.

Harvard Alumni Voice Concern

The Harvard statement carries 100 signatories from various sch ools including Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Graduate School of Education. It singles out two incidents that it considers emblematic of a broader crackdown.

" Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat was detained and manhandled by the police while rushing to prevent the illegal detention of a peaceful protester. If lawyers are prevented from providing legal aid, then the entire system of law and order breaks down," the statement observed.

The signatories also detailed the case of Mehr Pasricha, who they say "was not present at any protest site but was peacefully having breakfast at Lax mi Nag ar Market when she was detained." According to the statement, Pasricha was held for 13 hours without being provided any paperwork or being informed of the grounds for her detention.

Incidents Raise Questions on Police Powers

The events have reignited debate around the limits of police authority during public protests and the right of lawyers to provide legal assistance at the scene of a demonstration. While the Delhi Police has not yet issued a detailed response to the specific allegations made by the SCBA and Harvard alumni, a senior officer was quoted in earlier reports as saying that action was taken against those who "violated prohibitory orders".

Legal experts note that the right to peaceful protest under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution and the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 are fundamental, but can be subject to reasonable restrictions. The key legal question arising from the October10 incidents is whether the detent ions of advocates and protesters were procedurally valid and perportional.

The Harvard alumni statement explicitly demands: "We call upon the government and all law enforcement authorities to immediately cease and desist from all violations of constitutional rights , respect rights to peaceful protest and access to legal assistance, and ensure that those responsible for abuses are held accountable in accordance with the rule of law ."

What Next?

The SCBA`s gathering at the Gandhi statue on Tuesday is expected to draw a large number of lawyers from the Supreme Court and other Delhi courts. The Association has not yet announced any further agitational steps but has kept the option open pending a review of the police response.

Meanwhile, the Harvard alumni`s statement adds an international dimension to the controversy, putting additional pressure on the government to clarify its stand. The signatories include influential legal and policy professionals, and their call for accountability is likely to be taken up by civil liberties groups.

As the legal community awaits a formal response from the Delhi Police and the central government, the ribbon-wearing gesture and the minute of silence serve as a solemn reminder of the tensions between law enforcement and the Bar—and the core constitutional principle that no one, not even a lawyer in the line of duty, should be subjected to arbitrary state action.