Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, have opposed the attendance of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the university’s upcoming convocation.
In a statement dated August 15, the NLSIU community expressed solidarity with students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, following the BCI’s now-withdrawn order directing that the university’s 2026 graduates not be enrolled as advocates. The signatories said the action was arbitrary and raised serious concerns over freedom of speech and expression.
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The statement was signed by 165 graduating students of the Class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni. They argued that a convocation should celebrate students’ hard work and achievements, and said inviting individuals who had been involved in the controversy was “offensive” and “humiliating”.
The students demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to the NALSAR student and faculty community. They also urged reconsideration of the CJI as chief guest and criticised both Mishra and CJI Surya Kant for attending the event.
The controversy follows remarks by CJI Surya Kant on August 14, when he said students have a right to protest and described the matter as a dialogue between students and himself. The BCI had withdrawn its controversial enrolment order within hours amid widespread criticism.
