Assam: Gauhati High Court Bar Association Boycotts Foundation Stone Ceremony, Announces Hunger Strike Over Proposed Relocation

The Gauhati High Court Bar Association (GHCBA) has announced its decision to boycott the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new High Court building, scheduled for January 11, 2026, at Rangmahal in North Guwahati, Assam.

The association has also planned a peaceful hunger strike to protest the proposed shifting of the principal seat of the Gauhati High Court from its current location.

In a press release issued following an Emergent Extra-Ordinary General Meeting on January 6, 2026, the GHCBA reaffirmed its longstanding opposition to relocating the High Court's principal seat. The decision echoes previous resolutions and a referendum conducted by the association, where members overwhelmingly voted against the move.

The Bar Association has urged all its members to honour the collective resolution by refraining from attending or participating in the January 11 ceremony in any capacity, emphasising the need to maintain unity, discipline, and institutional dignity.

As a democratic expression of dissent, the GHCBA will observe a peaceful hunger strike on January 8, 9, and 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The venue will be in front of the Gauhati High Court (Old Building), near Gate No. 4.

The association clarified that adhering to General Body resolutions is fundamental to institutional discipline. This latest stand comes amid ongoing tensions over the state government's plans for a new judicial complex, which advocates argue would inconvenience lawyers, litigants, and the public due to accessibility issues.

Also Read: Akhil Gogoi Dares Assam BJP Chief Dilip Saikia to Swear Oath at Kamakhya Temple Over Voter Manipulation Row