NALSAR Students Stand Firm on Objections to CJI as Convocation Chief Guest

Students at NALSAR in Hyderabad have stood firm on their demand opposing the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to attend the university convocation as chief guest.

Backed by university alumni and members of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), Telangana, the students maintained their position regarding the guest selection. However, the student body clarified that they do not plan to boycott the convocation ceremony or request the university administration to withdraw the formal invitation already extended to the CJI.

The development follows a formal representation submitted by students to the NALSAR vice-chancellor on Aug 9. In the representation, students raised objections against inviting the CJI, citing the Supreme Court's initial refusal to hear petitions concerning police brutality during a CJP protest held at Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

Explaining the current position of the students, a student stated that their demand was originally not to invite him to the convocation. The student noted that since the invitation had already been extended, there was not much they could do, but affirmed that they would not withdraw their demand.

Alumni members supported the stance taken by the student community, stating that students were well within their rights to ask the university administration not to invite the CJI. Akhil Surya, an activist and gold medallist from the previous year's NALSAR convocation, backed the students' initiative.

Surya stated that it was a justified demand made by students to their own administration and vice-chancellor. He noted that asking the varsity to reconsider the decision was in line with NALSAR's norms, emphasizing that making the call was their prerogative and was not disrespectful to the office of the CJI.