NLSIU students and alumni oppose CJI and BCI Chairman attending convocation

Extending unconditional solidarity with the students and faculty community of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, the students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, have also opposed the attendance of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), at the upcoming convocation of the NLSIU.

In an open letter signed by 165 graduating students of the class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni over the actions of Mr. Mishra, they condemned the now-withdrawn BCI directive to halt the enrollment of students at NALSAR as advocates.

“We stand in solidarity with the NALSAR in their request to reconsider the choice of Mr. Kant as the chief guest for their convocation and express strong disapproval of the CJI attending the convocation of the NLSIU for the same reasons,” the letter stated.

The students further stated that university convocation is a monumental event in a student’s academic life, meant to celebrate years of hard work and perseverance.

“In a country where access to higher education is severely restricted by barriers of class, caste, and gender, as well as poorly designed and conducted entrance examinations, a convocation marks an important achievement for families. Inviting persons in high office to confer degrees on students toward whom they have publicly expressed disdain and condescension is offensive, humiliating, and a mockery of students and their struggles,” the letter stated.

They urged that the BCI unconditionally apologise to the student and faculty community at the NALSAR for attempting to infringe upon their fundamental right to free speech and expression.

“The BCI’s illegal and perverse actions are part of a concerning pattern of using a statutory regulatory body to make partisan political comments at the whims and fancies of the chairman. Instead of focusing on the poor state of legal education and professional development in the country, Mr. Mishra has abused his official position to issue statements calling the protesting students at Jantar Mantar ‘anti-social and anti-national forces’ acting under the influence of ‘foreign adversaries’. The repeated misconduct of the BCI Chairman has eroded public trust and confidence in the legal profession,” the letter stated.