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{{Short description|RSS-affiliated Lawyer's association}}{{Multiple issues|
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{{Infobox organization
{{Infobox organization
| name               = Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad
| name                     = Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad
| image               =
| image                   = The 17th national convention of All India Advocate Council will be held from Dec 26 to 28 at Nakoda in Balotra.jpg
| image_border        =  
| size                     =  
| size               =  
| alt                     = All India Lawyers' Council
| alt                 = All India Lawyers Council
| caption                 = All India Lawyers' Council
| caption             =
| abbreviation             = ABAP
| map                =
| formation               = 7 September 1992
| msize              =
| founder                  = [[Dattopant Thengadi]]
| malt                =
| type                     = [[Umbrella organisation]]
| mcaption            =  
| status                   = Active
| abbreviation       = ABAP
| purpose                 = Legal and social activism
| motto              =
| headquarters             = [[New Delhi]], India
| formation           = 1992
| region_served           = [[India]]
| registered on      =  
| website                 = {{URL|http://www.adhivaktaparishad.com/}}
| type               = Lawyers organisation
| parent_organisation      = [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]
| status             =  
| affiliation              = [[Sangh Parivar]]
| purpose             =  
| headquarters       = [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| location           =
| region_served      = [[India]]
| language            =
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| leader_title3      =
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| main_organ          =
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| num_volunteers      =
| budget              =
| website             = {{URL|http://www.adhivaktaparishad.org/}}
| remarks            =  
}}
}}
{{Bharatiya Janata Party sidebar}}
'''Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad''' ('''ABAP''', often translated as the '''''All India Lawyers' Council''''') is a national organisation of lawyers in India. It has been described by scholars and media sources as affiliated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organisation, and is often referred to as the RSS's legal wing or legal front.


The '''Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad''' ('''ABAP'''; English: ''All Indian Lawyers Council'') is a [[Right-wing politics|right-wing]] Indian organisation of lawyers associated with the [[Hindutva|Hindu nationalist]] [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]]. It is often referred to as the "RSS lawyers' wing."<ref name="Hegde2">[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/santosh-hegde-headed-lawyers-wing-of-rss/article2443665.ece ‘Santosh Hegde headed lawyers' wing of RSS'], The Hindu, 11 September 2011.</ref> It aims to work for a judicial system which is "in harmony with the genius of the nation and in consonance with Bharatiya traditions."<ref name="Outlook3">{{cite news|date=27 April 1998|title=The Tree, The Branches|newspaper=Outlook|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?205426|access-date=2014-10-12}}</ref><ref name="Jaffrelot2">{{citation|last=Jaffrelot|first=Christophe|title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India|year=2011|publisher=C Hurst & Co|isbn=978-1849041386|author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot|page=204}}</ref><ref name="Chitkara20042">{{citation|last=Chitkara|first=M. G.|title=Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: National Upsurge|date=1 January 2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ifuxzl9NM5sC&pg=PA298|pages=298–|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-465-7}}</ref>
According to the organisation, ABAP advocates reforms in the [[Judiciary of India|Indian judicial system]] and promotes legal perspectives rooted in Indian cultural, civilisational, and philosophical traditions.


It was founded in 1992 by the Hindu nationalist thinker and social reformer [[Dattopant Thengadi]].'''<ref name="Outlook">
==Overview==
{{cite news|title=The Tree, The Branches |newspaper=Outlook |date=27 April 1998 |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?205426 |access-date=2014-10-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104095605/http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?205426 |archivedate=4 November 2012 }}
The Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad (ABAP) was founded in September 1992 by [[Dattopant Thengadi]], a social activist and trade unionist associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Thengadi was also the founder of several other RSS-affiliated organisations, including the [[Swadeshi Jagran Manch|Swadeshi Jagaran Manch]], [[Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh]], and [[Bharatiya Kisan Sangh]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About – adhivaktaparishad |url=https://adhivaktaparishad.com/about/ |access-date=2026-03-04 |language=en-US}}</ref>
</ref><ref name="Jaffrelot">
{{citation |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe  |author-link=Christophe Jaffrelot  |title=Religion, Caste, and Politics in India |year=2011 |publisher=C Hurst & Co |isbn=978-1849041386|page=204}}
</ref><ref name="Chitkara2004">
{{citation|last=Chitkara|first=M. G.|title=Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: National Upsurge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ifuxzl9NM5sC&pg=PA298|date=1 January 2004|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7648-465-7|pages=298–}}
</ref>'''


== History ==
According to the organisation, the ABAP seeks to develop an "Indo-centric legal system" rooted in Indian traditions and philosophical thought. Its stated objectives include promoting social justice, safeguarding human rights and narrowing the gap between the legal system and the general public. The organisation also claims to contribute to legal and policy discourse through research, publications and the submission of legal memoranda.<ref name=":1"/>
The ABAP has its genesis in the [[The Emergency (India)|national emergency of 1975–77]], which suspension of civil rights, censorship of the press, and mass incarceration of political and social activists. During this time, various regional legal organizations were formed, including the Nationalist Lawyer's Forum in West Bengal 1977.


Later, in Maharastra was formed the Junior Lawyers Forum at Nagpur in the 1980s. In Kerala the Bharatiya Abhivasaka Parishad was formed in 1987 at Ernakulam. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, Adhivakta Parishad Uttar Pradesh was formed in 1992.
The ABAP has, however, faced criticism from scholars and media commentators for its close association with the RSS. It has been described as a legal front or legal wing of the [[Hindu Nationalist Organisation|Hindu nationalist organisation]] rather than an independent professional body. Media reports have further suggested that the organisation supports litigation initiatives and legal research aligned with the ideological objectives of the RSS.<ref>{{cite web|title=The RSS legal front’s increasing hold over the judicial system|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/law/adhivakta-parishad-rss-hold-judicial-system|access-date=2026-03-04|website=caravanmagazine.in|language=en}}</ref>


Finally, on 7 September 1992, with the efforts of Dattopant Thengadi and other lawyers, the idea of the Akhil Bhartiya Adhivakta Parishad as an umbrella organisation for all the like-minded regional lawyers' organisations working, which became affiliated to the ABAP. Later, state units of the Adhivakta Parishad were formed in other states.
== Activities ==
The ABAP operates through its branches in all [[States and union territories of India|Indian states]] and union territories connected via local, district, and state-level networks of lawyers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nayapravah – Adhivakta Parishad |url=https://adhivaktaparishad.com/about/ |access-date=2025-05-06}}</ref> The ABAP organises legal awareness programs, professional development seminars and national conferences for advocates and law students across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AKHIL BHARATIYA ADHIVAKTA PARISHAD |url=https://adhivaktaparishad.org/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428094955/https://www.adhivaktaparishad.org/ |archive-date=28 April 2025 |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad |language=en-US}}</ref> It also advocates for the use of Indian languages in the legal system,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mishra |first=Meghna |title=ABAP Initiates Signature Campaign About the Need to Make Official Documents of Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution Available in all Languages |url=https://lawstreet.co/legal-insiders/abap-indian-constitution |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=Lawstreet.co |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-09-19 |title=HC judge advocates use of Hindi in courts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/high-court-judge-advocates-use-of-hindi-in-legal-proceedings/articleshow/113499232.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-10-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> the “Indianisation” of the judiciary,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Speech on Decolonisation of the Indian Legal System to be delivered at the 16th National Council Meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad |url=https://images.assettype.com/barandbench/2021-12/cbd55537-bdd6-4798-b7dc-e9ab19086d51/Lecture_of_Justice_S_Abdul_Nazeer.pdf}}</ref> transparency in judicial appointments <ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattar |first=Ruchi |date=2025-04-15 |title=RSS-affiliated lawyers' body calls for transparency in judicial appointments, discusses NJAC |url=https://theprint.in/judiciary/rss-affiliated-lawyers-body-calls-for-transparency-in-judicial-appointments-discusses-njac/2590545/ |access-date=2025-10-23 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> and reforms to make the justice system "more responsive to the needs of the down-trodden and the have-nots."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About – Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad |url=https://adhivaktaparishad.com/about/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
=== Nyaya Kendra ===
The Nyaya Kendras are legal aid centres established by ABAP to make justice accessible to economically and socially disadvantaged communities.<ref name=":0" />


The Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad was formally constituted at Delhi on 21 and 22 April 2001 and was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 at the office of the Delhi Registrar of Societies on 4 May 1992.
=== Legal Awareness Camps ===
ABAP conducts Legal Awareness Camps to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities.<ref name=":0" />


== Organizational structure ==
=== Educational Initiatives ===
* The founding members of the ABAP included [[H. R. Khanna]], E. Venkat Ramaiya, [[Rama Jois]], Jitender Veer Gupta, [[Guman Mal Lodha]], [[U. R. Lalit]], and [[Ram Jethmalani]]'''.<ref name="Chitkara2004" />'''
ABAP organises seminars, symposiums and workshops at the national, state, district and court levels. Court units hold periodic study circles under the guidance of senior advocates to discuss legal developments, new bills and amendments.<ref name=":0" />
* '''National Level''': There is a National Executive of the Parishad consisting of the President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Organising Secretary, Treasurer, Secretaries, Zonal Secretaries and Members. Further, there is a National Council of the Adhivakta Parishad which is the highest policy and decision making body in all matters pertaining to the Constitution, Organisation, finance and other   activities of the Parishad. All the members of the National Executive and 7 members from each State Level Constituent Organisation, affiliated with the Parishad, constitute the National Council.
* '''State Level:''' Every State Level Constituent Organisation, affiliated to the Parishad, has its State Executive body. District committees are formed under the guidance and  approval of State Executive Committee. For a large district, Sub-Divisional Committee may be formed under the guidance and approval of District and State Committee. Individual Court Units are formed and function under the guidance and approval of District and State Committee. These Court Units are  the micro level units of the Parishad.  Further, in order to make the organisation gender inclusive and truly representational, pursuant to the conference of women Advocates in Indore, the Adhivakta Parishad resolved that in each functional unit one vice president, one joint secretary and two executive members shall be women. This is apart from women occupying the posts of President, General secretary in some states and local units.  Every three years a National Conference is held where thousands of advocates  from all over the country participate. The National council meets every two years, whereas the National Executive, wherein the General secretaries of all the state units are special invitees, meets every year.


== Activities ==
=== Public Interest Litigation ===
ABAP has supported [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigations]] on behalf of marginalised groups, including [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|scheduled castes and tribes]], farmers, informal workers and women. These cases are often filed by local activists and organisations. They are then represented and guided by advocates associated with ABAP.<ref name=":0" />


* '''Nyaya Kendra'''–One of the flagship projects of the ABAP, the Nyaya Kendras are legal aid centres established to make justice accessible to the socially and economically excluded section of the society.
=== Study and Research Groups ===
* '''Legal Awareness Camp''' - To organise Legal Awareness Camps at the doorstep of the targeted people/community in order to make them aware about their individual rights or collective rights as the Citizen of the Country.
ABAP also publishes a quarterly bilingual magazine, ''Nyaya Pravah''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nyaya Pravah – Adhivakta Parishad |url=https://adhivaktaparishad.com/nyayapravah/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''Seminar/Symposium/Workshop'''- The ABAP regularly organises National/State/District/Sub-Division/Court Level Seminars, Symposiums and Workshop.
* '''Study Circle''' - The Court units organise a periodical study circle in their respective units under the guidance of Senior Advocates and with the co-operation of the Junior Advocates on subject matters like a particular Statute/Act/Law, its application and operation in society, on new Bills, on an amendment to an Act, or on any other issue as required.
* '''Public Interest Litigation''' –The ABAP has utilised the tool of [[Public interest litigation in India|PIL]] from time to time in order to make intervention and espouse cause on behalf of the vulnerable sections of the society like the Scheduled Castes and Tribes, the farmers, the informal sector workers, women etc. Noticeably, the Parishad does not file cases on these issues in its name. The local grass root activists, organisations are represented, assisted and guided by the advocates from Parishad.
* '''Study and Research Group'''- Similar to a study circle at the court units, a study and research group is formed and operates at every State and at the National level in order to work on the Bills, new/amended Acts, Laws and Rules.
*The ABAP publishes a quarterly bilingual magazine called 'Nyaya Pravah'.


=== National Conventions ===
The ABAP has organised fifteen national conferences to date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad |url=https://adhivaktaparishad.com/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> The fourteenth conference in 2015 was attended by the then-[[Minister of Law and Justice (India)|Minister of Law and Justice]], [[Sadananda Gowda]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Speech of Hon’ble Minister of Law and Justice at the 14th National Conference of Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad |url=https://lawmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/2015-12-27%20-%20CON%20OF%20AKHIL%20BHARTIYA%20ADHIVAKTA%20PARISHAD.pdf |website=Law Ministry of India |access-date=2025-01-10}}</ref>
== Prominent members ==
== Prominent members ==
* [[N. Santosh Hegde]], former judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] and former [[Lokayukta]] of Karnataka.<ref name="Hegde2">{{Cite news |date=11 September 2011 |title=Santosh Hegde headed lawyers' wing of RSS |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/santosh-hegde-headed-lawyers-wing-of-rss/article2443665.ece |access-date=2011-09-11 |newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref>
* [[Adarsh Kumar Goel]], Justice of the Supreme Court of India (appointed in 2014) and former General Secretary of the Adhivakta Parishad.<ref name="Outlook3">{{cite news |title=The Tree, The Branches |newspaper=Outlook |date=27 April 1998 |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?205426 |access-date=2014-10-12}}</ref>


* [[N. Santosh Hegde]], former judge of the Supreme Court and former [[Lokayukta]] of the Karnataka.<ref name="Hegde2"/>
== References ==
* [[Adarsh Kumar Goel]], appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of India in 2014, served as the General Secretary of the Adhivakta Parishad.<ref name="Outlook3"/>
{{reflist|30em}}
 
{{Sangh Parivar}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}{{Sangh Parivar}}


[[Category:Sangh Parivar]]
[[Category:Sangh Parivar]]

Latest revision as of 12:06, 28 March 2026


Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad
All India Lawyers' Council
All India Lawyers' Council
AbbreviationABAP
Formation7 September 1992
FounderDattopant Thengadi
TypeUmbrella organisation
Legal statusActive
PurposeLegal and social activism
HeadquartersNew Delhi, India
Region served
India
Parent organisation
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
Websitewww.adhivaktaparishad.com
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Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad (ABAP, often translated as the All India Lawyers' Council) is a national organisation of lawyers in India. It has been described by scholars and media sources as affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organisation, and is often referred to as the RSS's legal wing or legal front.

According to the organisation, ABAP advocates reforms in the Indian judicial system and promotes legal perspectives rooted in Indian cultural, civilisational, and philosophical traditions.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad (ABAP) was founded in September 1992 by Dattopant Thengadi, a social activist and trade unionist associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Thengadi was also the founder of several other RSS-affiliated organisations, including the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh.[1]

According to the organisation, the ABAP seeks to develop an "Indo-centric legal system" rooted in Indian traditions and philosophical thought. Its stated objectives include promoting social justice, safeguarding human rights and narrowing the gap between the legal system and the general public. The organisation also claims to contribute to legal and policy discourse through research, publications and the submission of legal memoranda.[1]

The ABAP has, however, faced criticism from scholars and media commentators for its close association with the RSS. It has been described as a legal front or legal wing of the Hindu nationalist organisation rather than an independent professional body. Media reports have further suggested that the organisation supports litigation initiatives and legal research aligned with the ideological objectives of the RSS.[2]

Activities[edit | edit source]

The ABAP operates through its branches in all Indian states and union territories connected via local, district, and state-level networks of lawyers.[3] The ABAP organises legal awareness programs, professional development seminars and national conferences for advocates and law students across the country.[4] It also advocates for the use of Indian languages in the legal system,[5][6] the “Indianisation” of the judiciary,[7] transparency in judicial appointments [8] and reforms to make the justice system "more responsive to the needs of the down-trodden and the have-nots."[9]

Nyaya Kendra[edit | edit source]

The Nyaya Kendras are legal aid centres established by ABAP to make justice accessible to economically and socially disadvantaged communities.[9]

Legal Awareness Camps[edit | edit source]

ABAP conducts Legal Awareness Camps to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities.[9]

Educational Initiatives[edit | edit source]

ABAP organises seminars, symposiums and workshops at the national, state, district and court levels. Court units hold periodic study circles under the guidance of senior advocates to discuss legal developments, new bills and amendments.[9]

Public Interest Litigation[edit | edit source]

ABAP has supported public interest litigations on behalf of marginalised groups, including scheduled castes and tribes, farmers, informal workers and women. These cases are often filed by local activists and organisations. They are then represented and guided by advocates associated with ABAP.[9]

Study and Research Groups[edit | edit source]

ABAP also publishes a quarterly bilingual magazine, Nyaya Pravah.[10]

National Conventions[edit | edit source]

The ABAP has organised fifteen national conferences to date.[11] The fourteenth conference in 2015 was attended by the then-Minister of Law and Justice, Sadananda Gowda.[12]

Prominent members[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "About – adhivaktaparishad". Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  2. ↑ "The RSS legal front's increasing hold over the judicial system". caravanmagazine.in. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
  3. ↑ "Nayapravah – Adhivakta Parishad". Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  4. ↑ "AKHIL BHARATIYA ADHIVAKTA PARISHAD". Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad. Archived from the original on 28 April 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  5. ↑ Mishra, Meghna. "ABAP Initiates Signature Campaign About the Need to Make Official Documents of Schedule VIII of the Indian Constitution Available in all Languages". Lawstreet.co. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "HC judge advocates use of Hindi in courts". The Times of India. 19 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "Speech on Decolonisation of the Indian Legal System to be delivered at the 16th National Council Meeting of the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad" (PDF).
  8. ↑ Bhattar, Ruchi (15 April 2025). "RSS-affiliated lawyers' body calls for transparency in judicial appointments, discusses NJAC". ThePrint. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "About – Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad". Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  10. ↑ "Nyaya Pravah – Adhivakta Parishad". Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad". Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "Speech of Hon'ble Minister of Law and Justice at the 14th National Conference of Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad" (PDF). Law Ministry of India. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  13. ↑ "Santosh Hegde headed lawyers' wing of RSS". The Hindu. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  14. ↑ "The Tree, The Branches". Outlook. 27 April 1998. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
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