Three lawyers’ collectives demand resignation of BCI chair over NALSAR row
Three lawyers’ collectives with 700+ members urged Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to resign, citing a controversial NALSAR episode. Mishra apologized after initially barring 2026 graduates from enrollment, then withdrew the order; the CJI rebuked the directive. The groups hinted at
Key takeaways
- Three lawyers’ collectives with over 700 members call for Manan Kumar Mishra’s resignation as BCI chairman.
- The push follows a controversy over a directive on enrolling NALSAR’s 2026 graduates, which was later withdrawn.
- The Chief Justice of India publicly rebuked the directive, and Mishra apologized a day later.
- The collectives threaten a no-confidence motion if Mishra does not quit.
- The episode ties to broader questions about independence and governance of India’s legal profession.
What Happened
Three lawyers’ collectives, together claiming more than 700 members nationwide, demanded the resignation of Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in connection with a dispute involving NALSAR University of Law. The groups endorsed a letter calling for Mishra’s departure and indicated they may pursue a no-confidence motion through the Bar Council if he does not resign.
The controversy centered on a directive Mishra issued, which barred the 2026 graduating batch at NALSAR from enrolling with state bar councils. This directive was later followed by a second BCI letter stating the earlier order had been modified and the bar on enrollment was withdrawn. The sequence drew a rebuke from the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, who said the students had a right to protest and questioned the BCI’s stance. A day after the CJI’s remarks, Mishra issued an apology to the students.
Why It Matters
The scholars’ groups linked the incident to the broader independence and integrity of the legal profession, arguing that weak leadership undermines the profession’s role in a democracy. They signaled a governance challenge within the statutory body that oversees the legal profession in India and suggested a potential formal challenge to Mishra’s leadership through a no-confidence motion if he does not step down.
Background
The event followed a dispute at NALSAR University of Law over the presence of the Chief Justice of India at a convocation and related comments about police actions in protests. Mishra’s directive restricting enrollment for a graduating class and subsequent withdrawal by the BCI occurred in the wake of that controversy, drawing institutional scrutiny from the judiciary and legal circles.
Key Facts
- Event date referenced: August 2026 (report published Aug 16, 2026).
- BCI Chairman: Manan Kumar Mishra.
- Three lawyers’ collectives involved: All India Lawyers Association for Justice, National Alliance for Justice Accountability and Rights, and Queer Lawyers Association.
- Group membership: over 700 members nationwide.
- Controversy origin: directive barring the 2026 NALSAR graduating batch from enrolling with state bar councils.
- BCI response: initial directive followed by a later withdrawal/modification of the enrollment bar.
- CJI reaction: rebuked the directive and affirmed students’ right to protest.
- Subsequent action by Mishra: apology to the students the day after the CJI’s rebuke.
- Possible next step: the collectives signaled a no-confidence motion if Mishra does not resign.
- Related context: controversy over the presence of the CJI at NALSAR convocation and related statements on police actions during protests.
What Happens Next
The organizers have indicated they will proceed with formal letters and potential internal actions within the Bar Council if Mishra does not resign, including a possible no-confidence motion. No further, scheduled decisions from the BCI or Bar Councils are documented in the source material.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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