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Bar Council warns lawyers & firms to refrain from using celebs and peddling on social media
MUMBAI: India’s top legal regulator has launched a blistering attack on lawyers who peddle their services through social media and celebrity endorsements, declaring the practice as tasteless as a barrister in trainers.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a stern rebuke to advocates who have been flaunting their legal prowess on digital platforms, particularly those enlisting Indian cinema stars and “influencers” to hawk their services like common snake oil salesmen.
“The profession of law, deeply rooted in public trust and ethical standards, is fundamentally distinct from commercial business ventures,” thundered the BCI in its proclamation. The regulator appears particularly vexed by self-styled “legal influencers” who dispense dubious advice on everything from matrimonial disputes to taxation without proper credentials.
The council’s crackdown follows a landmark ruling by the Madras high court in July 2024, which emphasised that advocacy is meant to be a noble profession driven by societal service rather than commercial motives. The judgment specifically targeted online platforms like Quikr India and Just Dial, stripping them of protections under the Information Technology Act’s safe harbour provisions.
The BCI’s diktat prohibits lawyers from:
* Using screen actors or celebrities to promote legal practices
* Erecting promotional banners at religious or cultural events
* Dispensing legal advice on social media platforms
* Any activity that might be construed as “solicitation” under Rule 36
The strictures apply not just to individual barristers but to firms, companies and business process outsourcing operations that engage “in pith and substance” in the practice of law.
Legal eagles who have been strutting their stuff online now face the prospect of disciplinary action if they fail to promptly remove their digital swagger. The BCI appears determined to ensure that the only thing going viral in the legal profession is respect for its ancient traditions.
In an era when even the most solemn professions have succumbed to the temptations of digital marketing, India’s legal watchdog is making it clear: justice cannot be sold with a swipe to the right or left.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
