NLSIU Students Back Hyderabad's NALSAR in Row Over Convocation Invite

Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University have voiced strong opposition to inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to their upcoming convocation ceremony, expressing solidarity with students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad.

The development follows a recent dispute at NALSAR in Hyderabad, where the Bar Council of India briefly issued a directive barring the entire 2026 graduating batch from enrolling as advocates after some students objected to Chief Justice Kant being invited as their convocation chief guest.

In a formal letter issued on Saturday, NLSIU students and alumni stated that they stood in unconditional solidarity with their counterparts at NALSAR. They criticised both the BCI chairman's actions and the proposed participation of the Chief Justice and BCI leadership in their own upcoming convocation ceremony.

The student statement stressed that the core issue was whether law students in premier national institutions are permitted to express dissent with public officials and powerful bodies without facing punitive threats to their careers. The group demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR students and faculty, while accusing the council of attempting to infringe upon freedom of speech and expression.

The controversy at NALSAR originated after a section of graduating students raised concerns regarding remarks attributed to Justice Kant during a Supreme Court mentioning for an urgent hearing on alleged police brutality at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Chief Justice Kant had stated, "Don't waste our time," later clarifying that he had asked for the petition to be filed properly rather than refusing to hear it.

Following the objections from NALSAR students, BCI Chairman Mishra, who is also a BJP Rajya Sabha MP, issued an order directing state bar councils to withhold enrollment for the institute's 2026 batch. The order contended that students showing disrespect toward the country's highest judicial office could not be expected to become responsible advocates.

Facing widespread backlash, Mishra later posted on X stating that the majority of students should not suffer for the actions of a few. The Bar Council of India withdrew the enrollment ban in its entirety the same night, with Mishra tendering an apology and noting that students' independence of thought must be respected.