Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) have opposed the participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in the university’s upcoming convocation, citing the BCI’s recently withdrawn action against students of NALSAR University of Law.
In a statement dated August 15, 165 graduating students from the Class of 2026, along with 409 current students and 128 alumni, expressed solidarity with NALSAR students and criticised the BCI’s earlier decision directing state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduates.
The signatories noted that the BCI had subsequently withdrawn its order and closed the proceedings against NALSAR, media reports stated.
However, they argued that the withdrawal did not erase the impact of initiating proceedings that they described as unconstitutional and illegal against students and faculty members of a public university. They said the responsibility of the BCI and its chairman remained despite the reversal.
The students and alumni further said that the BCI’s decision to withdraw the enrolment ban and inquiry effectively acknowledged the arbitrary and unlawful nature of its earlier actions.
They argued that a convocation was meant to mark an important academic milestone and celebrate the achievements and sacrifices of graduating students. In that context, they said inviting senior officials whom they accused of displaying disdain or condescension towards students would undermine the significance of the occasion.
The group expressed unconditional solidarity with NALSAR students, praising them for what it described as their courage and willingness to challenge those in positions of authority.
They also demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR’s students and faculty, arguing that the council’s actions had created a chilling effect on free speech and dissent.
The statement expressed strong opposition to Manan Kumar Mishra attending the NLSIU convocation without, in the signatories’ view, accepting responsibility for the BCI’s actions. The students and alumni also objected to CJI Surya Kant’s participation and supported the demand by NALSAR students that his selection as chief guest for their convocation be reconsidered.
The development comes days after a Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice criticised the BCI over its action against NALSAR graduates following objections to his proposed visit to the university. During the hearing on August 14, CJI Surya Kant indicated that his engagement with the students was a matter of dialogue and questioned the BCI’s decision to initiate action against them.