Bengaluru, August 16: A broad coalition of current scholars and alumni at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, has called for a reconsideration of key guests invited to the university’s annual convocation ceremony. The joint action stems from recent attempts by the Bar Council of India to restrict state bar enrolments for NALSAR graduates who voiced concerns regarding official invitations extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
Representing hundreds of graduating law students and alumni, the group issued a formal resolution expressing strong disapproval toward BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and CJI Surya Kant attending ceremonial events without addressing student concerns. The signatories maintained that academic convocations represent significant milestones that should reflect democratic values rather than regulatory overreach.
“We stand in unconditional solidarity with our fellow students at NALSAR who have shown exemplary courage and moral conviction in speaking truth to power,” the NLSIU statement affirmed.
The controversy gained national attention when the BCI briefly issued an order directing state bar councils to withhold advocate enrolments for NALSAR’s 2026 passouts, only to withdraw the decision within hours following public backlash. While hearing a challenge related to the circular, CJI Surya Kant observed that young scholars have an inherent right to protest and express opinions regarding institutional affairs.
“Students have a right to protest,” CJI Surya Kant declared during court proceedings, describing the BCI’s sudden order as completely uncalled for.
Refusing to treat the matter as settled by the BCI’s U-turn, NLSIU students declared that administrative accountability remains vital to safeguarding fundamental freedom of speech and expression across law campuses.
