# NLSIU students, alumni oppose CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest 2026-08-17T01:21:44+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru have opposed the attendance of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the upcoming convocation. In a statement, 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni condemned the BCI’s now-withdrawn order to halt enrolment of NALSAR University of Law graduates and expressed solidarity with NALSAR students who had opposed CJI Kant’s visit. The statement called inviting persons "who have publicly expressed disdain and condescension" towards students "offensive, humiliating, and a mockery". They have demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI. CJI Kant told the Times of India that he "never consented to NALSAR's invitation" to be chief guest, adding that the question of attending does not arise. The controversy started after over 400 of NALSAR's 1,400 students opposed his presence, citing his remarks during a hearing on petitions related to a student march to Parliament on July 20. The BCI had ordered an inquiry and threatened to debar opposing students from registration as advocates, but withdrew the circular after widespread criticism. The Supreme Court has sought the BCI's response. Separately, the All India Lawyers Union (AILU) has demanded the resignation of BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra over the order. AILU president Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya said Mishra "ought to have resigned, showing respect for the chair". The AILU also demanded withdrawal of cases against protesters in recent NEET-UG agitation and a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 for junior lawyers. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com - thehindu.com This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above. Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources. Last updated 2026-08-17T01:25:40+00:00. Tags: Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra, NALSAR University of Law, NLSIU Bengaluru, Supreme Court of India, Surya Kant Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/nlsiu-students-oppose-cji-surya-kant-bci-chairman-at-convocation/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/nlsiu-students-oppose-cji-surya-kant-bci-chairman-at-convocation/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/