NLSIU Students and Alumni Oppose CJI and BCI Chairman Attending Convocation
Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, have expressed strong opposition to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending their upcoming convocation ceremony.
What Happened
In an open letter, members of the NLSIU community declared their unconditional solidarity with the students and faculty of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. The statement carries the signatures of 165 graduating students from the class of 2026, 409 current students, and 128 alumni.
The signatories condemned actions associated with BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, particularly highlighting a now-withdrawn directive from the BCI that sought to suspend the enrollment of NALSAR graduates as advocates. The letter supported NALSAR’s call to reconsider having CJI Surya Kant as their convocation chief guest and registered their own disapproval of his attendance at NLSIU for the same reasons.
Key Highlights
- Broad Opposition: A total of 702 signatories—comprising 165 graduating students of the class of 2026, 409 current students, and 128 alumni—signed the open letter opposing the participation of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
- Solidarity with NALSAR: The students backed NALSAR’s request to reconsider CJI Kant’s role as chief guest and called for an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR’s faculty and student community.
- Criticism of BCI Leadership: The letter accused the BCI Chairman of misusing a statutory regulatory body to make partisan political statements, including referring to protesting students at Jantar Mantar as ‘anti-social and anti-national forces’ guided by ‘foreign adversaries’.
- Call for Accountability: The signatories stated that these actions have damaged public confidence in the legal profession rather than addressing the condition of legal education and professional development.
Why This Matters
The students emphasized that a convocation is a monumental milestone celebrating years of academic dedication, particularly against systemic barriers related to class, caste, gender, and poorly administered entrance examinations. The signatories argued that inviting high-office holders who have publicly expressed disdain toward students turns a significant personal and familial achievement into an offensive and humiliating occasion.
What to Watch Next
Observers will be monitoring whether the administration of NLSIU alters its convocation guest list in response to the open letter, and whether the Bar Council of India issues any statement regarding the demand for an apology to the NALSAR academic community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NLSIU students write an open letter against the convocation guests?
The students and alumni oppose the presence of CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in solidarity with NALSAR, citing regulatory overreach—such as a now-withdrawn enrollment ban on NALSAR graduates—and objectionable remarks made against student protesters.
How many people signed the statement?
The open letter was signed by 165 graduating students of the class of 2026, 409 current students, and 128 alumni of NLSIU Bengaluru.
What specific apology did the signatories request?
The letter urged the Bar Council of India to unconditionally apologise to the students and faculty at NALSAR for attempting to infringe upon their constitutional right to free speech and expression.
Source: The Hindu