The Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) has announced that it will abstain from the proposed foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Gauhati High Court building at Rangmahal in North Guwahati, scheduled for January 11.
The decision reiterates the Bar Association’s long-standing opposition to the proposed shifting of the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court from its current location in Guwahati.
The Gauhati High Court Bar Association has decided to boycott the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new High Court building at Rangmahal in North Guwahati on January 11. The Bar Association has also announced a hunger strike on January 8, 9 and 11 in protest against the proposed shifting of the High Court’s Principal Seat.
Decision Taken After General Body Resolution
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 7, the GHCBA said the decision followed an Emergent Extra-Ordinary General Meeting held on January 6. After detailed deliberations, the General Body reaffirmed its opposition to relocating the Principal Seat of the High Court.
The Association said its stand is consistent with earlier resolutions and a referendum conducted among its members, which reflected strong opposition to the move.
Call to Members to Maintain Unity
The Bar Association has appealed to all its members to honour the General Body’s decision and refrain from attending or participating in the foundation stone laying programme in any capacity.
According to the GHCBA, the decision is aimed at preserving unity, institutional discipline, and the dignity of the legal fraternity based in Guwahati.
Hunger Strike Announced in Guwahati
As part of what it described as a peaceful and democratic protest, the Association announced it will observe a hunger strike on January 8, 9, and 11.
The protest will be held in front of the old Gauhati High Court building near Gate No. 4 in Guwahati, between 10 am and 4 pm on all three days.
Opposition to the Shifting of the Principal Seat
The GHCBA reiterated that adherence to resolutions passed by its General Body is central to institutional discipline. It called upon its members to remain united on the issue of the proposed relocation.
The Association said the decision to boycott the ceremony and hold a hunger strike was being formally placed on record to convey its collective and considered stand on the shifting of the High Court’s Principal Seat.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati has long served as the judicial nerve centre of Assam and the Northeast. Any proposal to relocate the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court carries major implications for lawyers, litigants, and judicial administration based in the city.
The Bar Association’s protest highlights growing concerns within Guwahati’s legal community over the future of the city’s central judicial institutions.
What Happens Next
The foundation stone laying ceremony at Rangmahal is scheduled for January 11, though it remains unclear whether any changes will be made in response to the boycott.
The hunger strike and continued opposition by the GHCBA are expected to keep the issue at the centre of legal and civic discourse in Guwahati over the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Gauhati High Court Bar Association boycotting the ceremony?
The Bar Association opposes the proposed shifting of the Principal Seat of the Gauhati High Court and sees the new building as part of that move.
Where will the hunger strike be held in Guwahati?
The hunger strike will take place in front of the old Gauhati High Court building near Gate No. 4, from 10 am to 4 pm on January 8, 9, and 11.
