NLSIU students oppose CJI and BCI chief at convocation, seek apology to NALSAR
NLSIU's 2026 graduating batch, along with 409 current students and 128 alumni, signed a statement opposing the presence of the Chief Justice of India and the BCI chair at their convocation and demanding an apology to NALSAR. The move follows a BCI directive on NALSAR that authorities later withdrew.
Key takeaways
- NLSIU 2026 graduates, 409 current students, and 128 alumni signed a statement opposing CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chair Manan Mishra attending NLSIU’s convocation.
- The group demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR and called for reconsideration of the CJI as chief guest for NLSIU’s convocation.
- The dissent references a BCI directive related to NALSAR that was halted and later restored, describing it as unconstitutional.
- The statement questions Mishra’s use of official letterhead and accuses the BCI of acting in a partisan manner against student protesters.
What Happened
Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, publicly objected to the planned attendance of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at NLSIU's convocation. A statement signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni called for an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and urged reconsideration of the CJI as chief guest for NALSIU’s event. The letter argued that inviting dignitaries who have publicly opposed student protesters would be humiliating and stifling for the graduates.
The statement also condemned a BCI directive to halt and then restore enrolment for NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch, describing the move as unconstitutional and an infringement on free speech. It demanded clarification on the BCI chair’s use of official letterhead and criticized Mishra for perceived partisan conduct and for remarks criticizing protesting students.
Why It Matters
The open letter frames convocation as a milestone for students facing barriers in access to legal education and signals concern about how high office holders engage with student dissent. It alleges a broader pattern of regulatory overreach by the BCI and asserts that inviting figures who have disparaged student protests could chill free speech within Indian legal education.
Background
The controversy stems from the BCI’s August 13 directives related to NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch, including an order to halt enrolment that was subsequently withdrawn. The letter emphasizes the need for clear protocol on the chairman’s use of official letterhead and criticizes Mishra’s public comments about student protests at Jantar Mantar.
Key Facts
- 165 graduating students signed the NLSIU statement.
- 409 current students signed the statement.
- 128 alumni signed the statement.
- The statement opposed the attendance of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chair Mishra at NLSIU’s convocation.
- BCI had issued, then withdrew, directives affecting NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch.
- The statement demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR’s student and faculty community.
- The letter called Mishra’s unilateral actions and use of letterhead into question and demanded protocol clarification.
What Happens Next
The published open letter signals continued formal expression of dissent by NLSIU students and alumni, and it calls for ongoing scrutiny of the BCI’s actions and leadership. No additional schedules for convocation attendance or BCI actions are publicly confirmed in the sources provided.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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