Now Reading: CJI slams BCI for threatening NALSAR students
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CJI slams BCI for threatening NALSAR students
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday castigated the Bar Council of India (BCI) for threatening to deny practising licences to NALSAR University students who had objected to his being chief…
The Story in Brief
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday castigated the Bar Council of India (BCI) for threatening to deny practising licences to NALSAR University students who had objected to his being chief guest at the convocation. A three-judge Supreme Court bench led by the CJI called the BCI action 'totally uncalled for' and said students had a fundamental right to protest peacefully. The court restrained BCI and all state bar councils from taking coercive action against the students and faculty.
The BCI had issued a circular late Thursday identifying protesting students and threatening to deny them registration, but withdrew it after public outcry. The CJI offered the law graduates a start as legal aid counsel in the Supreme Court. The Federal reports that political observers say the CJI's intervention reflects a recognition of broader public sentiment in favour of the students.
The Indian Opinion
The BCI acted as if student dissent was a crime against the profession. Yes, the NALSAR students were critical of the CJI, but that right is constitutionally guaranteed. The BCI's hasty retreat proved it had no legal or moral ground. On the other hand, some commentators have exaggerated the episode as a showdown between judiciary and bar council. The real test is whether the BCI will now reform its arbitrary decision-making or continue to act as judge and jury over student speech.
Sources (3): thefederal.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesnownews.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
