BCI chairman apologises for NALSAR enrolment row after CJI criticism

Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on Saturday apologised to all law students for his words and actions in the NALSAR enrolment controversy, the Times of India reports. The three-page Independence Day letter did not name NALSAR but said he regretted if anything hurt students' feelings. The apology came two days after the BCI directed state bar councils not to enroll NALSAR graduates, a move it withdrew after widespread criticism.

The Federal reports that Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant called the BCI's directive 'uncalled for' and stressed that students have a right to protest. The CJI noted his own student activism and said no body should interfere with peaceful dissent. The Supreme Court later passed an interim order barring the BCI and state councils from taking punitive action against NALSAR students or faculty over the campaign opposing the CJI's convocation invitation.

The row began when about 450 NALSAR students submitted representations asking the university to reconsider inviting Justice Surya Kant as chief guest, citing his refusal to hear pleas on police brutality during the Jantar Mantar protests. The BCI's initial directive sought details of students and faculty involved. Mishra's letter urged students to decide independently whether to attend the convocation.