441 NALSAR Alumni Condemn BCI Directive in Open Letter Over Convocation Row

Alumni of Hyderabad's NALSAR University of Law issued an open letter to Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on Friday, stating firmly that voicing dissent is not a criminal offence in India.

The letter came a day after the BCI directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch as advocates due to student opposition regarding the Chief Justice of India's participation in the university's upcoming convocation. Although the BCI later rescinded the directive, the move prompted strong pushback from former students.

Signed by 441 NALSAR alumni, the open letter condemned the regulatory body's conduct toward students and faculty, as well as what it termed a disregard for university autonomy. The alumni highlighted that the council's actions undermined academic freedom and student rights.

In the letter, 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 deal with matters involving young students and educated faculty in an arbitrary and high-handed manner.

The alumni further noted that the language used in the BCI's initial letter—which sought to block graduates from enrolling with state bar councils—vilified students and faculty members. They pointed out that the council had made allegations of "groupism", "dirty politics", and "nasty politics", while also accusing faculty members of "instigating" and "misguiding students".

Rejecting those characterisations, the open letter concluded that such loose statements are unbecoming of a statutory body entrusted with official obligations towards the legal profession and legal education across the country.