Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) have raised objections to the proposed attendance of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the university’s convocation, amid an ongoing controversy involving NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.
A statement issued by the NLSIU community on Saturday was signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni. The signatories also demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to students and faculty members of NALSAR.
The development follows the BCI’s decisions on August 13 concerning the enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch. The enrolment was initially halted after students objected to the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant at their convocation, before the decision was restored within hours.
NLSIU community questions BCI chairman’s authority
In their statement, the NLSIU students argued that the BCI chairman does not represent the entire council and questioned whether the chairman had the authority to issue such directions unilaterally.
The statement also sought clarification over the BCI’s use of official letterhead, noting that only the second communication reportedly stated that it had the Council’s approval.
The BCI comprises the Attorney General of India, the Solicitor General of India and one member from each State Bar Council, according to the statement.
Students call action against NALSAR a threat to free speech
The NLSIU community described the BCI’s actions as an attack on freedom of expression and academic discourse.
It also criticised a reported direction asking NALSAR to identify students and faculty members associated with the campaign against the proposed participation of the CJI.
The statement described the move as a “witch-hunt” and invoked Rabindranath Tagore’s poem Where the Mind Is Without Fear while emphasising the importance of free expression in legal education.
NALSAR controversy
The dispute began after students at NALSAR raised objections to the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant at their convocation. The BCI subsequently halted the enrolment of the university’s 2026 graduating batch before reversing the decision within hours.
The episode has since triggered debate among students, alumni and members of the legal fraternity over institutional autonomy, freedom of expression and the powers of the BCI.
The latest NLSIU statement adds another layer to the controversy, with students urging the BCI to address their concerns and issue an unconditional apology to the NALSAR community.
