441 NALSAR Alumni Condemn BCI Directive Halting Student Enrolments

Over 440 alumni of the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad have condemned the Bar Council of India (BCI) for issuing directives to halt the enrolment of the university's students in State Bar Councils and seeking an explanatory report from the varsity.

The regulatory body's action followed concerns raised by sections of students who had expressed opposition to the Chief Justice of India being invited as the chief guest for the university's convocation ceremony.

In an open letter addressed directly to BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, 441 alumni criticised the council's approach toward students, faculty, and the autonomy of academic institutions.

The alumni stated that the BCI's communications reflected a lack of empathy for students and their mental health, a disregard for the fundamental right to free speech, and a tendency to handle matters concerning young scholars and academic faculty in an arbitrary and high-handed manner.

The signatories pointed out that the students had communicated their views directly to their Vice Chancellor as an internal university matter. They asserted that this internal dialogue provided no justification for a statutory regulatory body to initiate what they described as a witch hunt against students and faculty.