Lawyers turn down Kerala High Court request to allow Chief Justice to hoist tricolour on August 15

Lawyers belonging to the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association have declined a suggestion of the High Court to let the Kerala Chief Justice hoist the national flag on the court premises on Independence Day.

The association has resolved to continue with, what it termed as, the three-decade-old practice of its president hoisting the national flag on August 15 at the portico of the court complex. The honour of hoisting the tricolour on Republic Day will continue with the Chief Justice.

Govt. orders

The High Court had initiated an informal conversation with the association representatives regarding the proposed change of practice a few weeks ago. The court had also cited government orders regarding the observance of Independence Day, which stipulated that the heads of departments shall hoist the national flag at the respective institutions. The Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, being the head of the institution, was entitled to hoist the flag on Independence Day, argued the High Court sources.

However, the suggestion did not find favour with the members of the association. The general body meeting of the association held on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) was not convinced of the need to change the custom. The meeting resolved to continue with the decades-old practice of its president hoisting the flag. The decision of the association was duly conveyed to the Registry of the court, sources said.

Mutual respect

While all the judges of the High Court would attend the ceremony on August 15, organised by the association, the lawyers also reciprocate the gesture by attending the function of January 26 in good numbers. It is a case of mutual respect between the Bar and the Bench, which shall continue uninterrupted, according to lawyers.

With the lawyers’ forum refusing to entertain the request of the High Court, the annual celebration will continue without change. However, a full court of the Kerala High Court may deliberate on the issue later, sources indicated.