LUCKNOW, Feb. 25 -- Lawyers across Uttar Pradesh staged a statewide boycott of court proceedings on Tuesday in protest against the proposed amendments to the Advocates Act, 1961, which seek to prohibit strikes and work abstentions.

Responding to a call given by the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, lawyers at the Allahabad high court, its Lucknow bench, and district courts across the state refrained from work.

The proposed Advocates (Amendment) Bill, drafted by the Union Law Ministry, includes a provision-Section 35A-that bars advocates from boycotting courts or disrupting proceedings. Any violation could lead to disciplinary action. The Bar Council has termed this clause unacceptable and is demanding a complete rollback of the bill.

Altho...