On Thursday, the Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association at Jammu (JKHCBAJ) has voiced sharp unease over recent developments that it says strike at the very core of the legal fraternity’s functioning. The enforcement of the Jammu and Kashmir Tenancy Act, 2025, coupled with long-pending infrastructural and administrative concerns, has triggered renewed unrest and compelled the Bar to formally register its protest.
In a statement issued by General Secretary Pardeep Majotra, the Association recorded its strong disapproval of several provisions of the newly enforced Tenancy Act, describing them as inconsistent with the welfare and working environment of advocates. The Bar also drew attention to the continued neglect of its long-standing demand for a multi-storey building for the Association, a proposal that, despite repeated reminders, has seen no progress.
Adding to these concerns, the JKHCBAJ highlighted reports regarding the possible shifting of traffic courts from the current judicial complex. According to the Bar, such a move would disrupt daily functioning, reduce accessibility, and directly impact lawyers who rely on these courts being centrally located.
The Association asserts that the Tenancy Act, 2025, was enforced without adequate consultation with stakeholders whose professional lives are closely tied to its implementation. It maintains that the legislation contains provisions that undermine the security and operational needs of practising advocates. The Bar further contends that the proposed relocation of traffic courts is yet another example of decisions taken without considering the practical realities of litigation and that the continued inaction on the Bar building amounts to disregard for the dignity and needs of the legal community.
Reflecting on the sequence of events, the JKHCBAJ observed a pattern of administrative indifference towards the genuine concerns of lawyers. It noted that repeated representations on infrastructure and court-related issues have gone unanswered and that significant policy decisions with far-reaching implications are being made without meaningful dialogue. The Association emphasised that this approach not only diminishes the professional environment but also erodes the trust essential between the Bar, institutions, and the administration.
In response to these unresolved grievances, the Bar Association has announced that its members will abstain from work on November 21 across all judicial forums, including the High Court, District Courts, Tribunals, Revenue Courts, CAT, and Commissions. It has also appealed to courts to refrain from passing adverse orders on matters listed for that day. A protest gathering is scheduled at noon at the District Court Complex, Jammu, and the Association has reiterated its demand that the government either roll back the Tenancy Act, 2025 or amend it after proper consultation, cautioning that continued inaction may lead to more forceful measures.
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