“The legal profession is not merely an occupation; it is the guardian of justice, the voice of the oppressed, and the first line of defense against tyranny. An independent Bar is the cornerstone of an independent judiciary—compromise it, and you compromise the very foundation of democracy.”

If the Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025 had a motto, it would be: “Speak less, comply more, and never question authority.” Wrapped in the language of “reform,” this Bill is less about improving the legal profession and more about taming it. It reads like a playbook for turning fierce, independent advocates into government-approved legal service providers, carefully selected to avoid ruffling any executive feathers. By expanding control over the Bar, criminalizing dissent, and creating a chilling effect on legal activism, the Bill seems designed to ensure that lawyers think twice before taking up cases that challenge the powers that be. In a democracy, advocates are meant to be the watchdogs of justice—but with these amendments, the government appears keen to turn them into obedient house pets, barking only when permitted. The message is clear: fall in line, or risk professional extinction. But history has shown that the legal fraternity does not take kindly to such attempts at subjugation—and the overwhelming resistance to this Bill proves that the fight for an independent Bar is far from over.

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