3 weeks ago
CJI Surya Kant to attend NALSAR convocation despite student protests
Some students at a big law school in India are upset.
The school invited the most important judge in the country to give out diplomas at graduation.
The students do not want him to come.
They are upset because of something he said during a court case.
Some people in Delhi were hurt during a protest, and students say the police were too rough.
The judge said the court should not waste time watching videos of what happened.
About 450 out of 1,400 students signed letters asking the school to change its mind.
But the school says the judge's office already accepted the invitation.
So the judge will still come, but not everyone is happy about it.
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant accepted NALSAR University of Law's invitation to be chief guest at its convocation despite student protests.
About 450 of NALSAR's 1,400 students opposed the CJI's invitation, citing his remarks on alleged police brutality during the NEET protests.
The first representation was sent on July 23 by 70 members of the outgoing LLB batch; by July 25, roughly 380 more students from batches 2027-2031 expressed solidarity.
The Supreme Court declined on July 22 to initiate suo motu proceedings over police excess allegations from the July 20 crackdown on student protesters in Delhi.
The convocation date has not yet been fixed, though it is usually held in August or September.
- Who
- Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, protesting students of NALSAR University of Law, and Vice-Chancellor Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao
- What
- The CJI accepted an invitation to be chief guest at NALSAR's convocation despite protests from about 450 students
- Where
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- When
- Student representations were sent July 23-25; the convocation date is not yet fixed, though it is usually held in August or September
- Why
- Students objected to the CJI's remarks declining to examine video evidence of alleged police brutality during the NEET protests in Delhi
Protesting students
CJI and university administration
CJI as convocation chief guest
Protesting students
Students argued that receiving degrees from a dignitary whose recent conduct appears dismissive of serious allegations of police brutality contradicts NALSAR's commitment to constitutional rights and access to justice, and urged the university to reconsider.
CJI and university administration
The Vice-Chancellor's office confirmed the invite to the CJI was extended and accepted, indicating no change to his role as chief guest.
Handling of police excess video evidence
Protesting students
Students said the CJI's refusal to examine videographic evidence of alleged police brutality was dismissive and does not embody what the Constitution stands for.
CJI and university administration
The Supreme Court declined to initiate suo motu proceedings on July 22, and the CJI orally said the court's time should not be 'wasted' on watching the videos.
Key facts
- Event
- NALSAR convocation chief guest dispute
- Chief guest
- Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant
- Invitation status
- Extended by NALSAR and accepted by the CJI's office
- Student opposition
- About 450 of NALSAR's 1,400 students
- First representation
- July 23, by 70 graduating LLB students
- Solidarity letters
- July 25, from batches 2027-2031 (about 380 students)
- Convocation date
- Not yet fixed; usually August or September
- Trigger
- CJI's July 22 remarks on video evidence from the July 20 Delhi NEET protest crackdown
Quotes
Student representative from the 2028 batch
Student from the 2028 graduating batch
“We stand in vehement opposition to the presence of the current CJI at the convocation.”
indianexpress.com
“Please don’t waste our time. We don’t have time to watch these videos”
indianexpress.com
Vice‑Chancellor Professor Srikrishna Deva Rao
Vice‑Chancellor of NALSAR University
“We have extended an invite to the CJI, and his office has accepted the invite”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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