NLSIU students oppose CJI, BCI chief over NALSAR row

More than 700 students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, have opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the university's convocation. In a statement dated August 15, they condemned the now-withdrawn BCI order that halted enrolment of 2026 graduates of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and expressed solidarity with NALSAR students.

The signatories included 165 graduating students of the Class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni. They said the BCI had acknowledged the 'arbitrary' and 'illegal nature' of its actions even after withdrawing the order. They demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to the NALSAR community for attempting to infringe their fundamental right to free speech, and said inviting the CJI and Mishra to confer degrees on students they had shown 'disdain' towards was 'offensive and humiliating'.

The controversy began after NALSAR students objected to the CJI's proposed campus visit, prompting the BCI to order a halt to their enrolment. On August 14, a bench led by CJI Surya Kant said students had a right to protest, and the BCI withdrew its order within hours following a social media uproar. The NLSIU statement also backed NALSAR's request to reconsider the CJI as chief guest for its convocation.