3 weeks ago
NALSAR students urge reconsidering CJI Surya Kant convocation invite
At a law school in India called NALSAR, the Chief Justice of India, the country's top judge, was reportedly going to be the special guest at the graduation ceremony.
More than 450 students were upset about this.
They said that during a court hearing the judge called young protesters 'cockroaches' and said he had no time to watch videos of what happened at a protest.
The students think the person who hands out their diplomas should be fair, kind, and respectful.
They wrote letters asking the school to choose a different guest.
The judge later said the media misquoted him and that he was only talking about people with fake degrees.
The school has not yet said what it will do.
One teacher said the ceremony might be cancelled this year.
A protest leader praised the students for questioning such a powerful judge.
More than 450 students of NALSAR University of Law, including the outgoing Batch of 2026 and the classes of 2027-2031, urged the university to 'strongly reconsider' inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest for the 2026 convocation.
The first representation was sent on July 23 by 70 members of the outgoing LLB batch; by July 25, about 380 students from the classes of 2027-2031 had expressed solidarity.
Students cited reported remarks by the CJI during Supreme Court proceedings on July 22 over police action at the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' protest, including 'Don't waste our time', 'We are not interested in videos', and calling protesters 'cockroaches'.
CJI Surya Kant said he was 'misquoted' and that his criticism targeted those with 'fake or bogus degrees'; the university has not publicly responded to the students.
A faculty member said the administration has been 'very tight-lipped' and that the convocation could be cancelled; Saurav Das of the Cockroach Janta Party praised the students.
- Who
- More than 450 students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, including the outgoing Batch of 2026 and classes of 2027-2031; Chief Justice of India Surya Kant; Saurav Das of the Cockroach Janta Party; and activist Sonam Wangchuk.
- What
- Students demanded the university 'strongly reconsider' inviting CJI Surya Kant as chief guest for the 2026 convocation, citing his reported remarks during Supreme Court proceedings on police action against NEET protesters.
- Where
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; Supreme Court of India, New Delhi; and Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, where the protest was held.
- When
- The 'Chalo Sansad' protest at Jantar Mantar took place on July 20; the matter was mentioned in the Supreme Court on July 22; the first student representation was sent on July 23; and reports were published on August 9, 2026. The convocation date has not been announced.
- Why
- Students believe the reported remarks appeared dismissive of serious allegations of police brutality and were inconsistent with the values of constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances taught at NALSAR.
Students Opposing the Invitation
Supporters of the CJI and Convocation Tradition
CJI as convocation chief guest
Students Opposing the Invitation
Students argue the reported invitation is inconsistent with constitutional accountability, academic freedom and sensitivity towards students, and asked the university to 'strongly reconsider' and consult the graduating batch before extending any invitation.
Supporters of the CJI and Convocation Tradition
The incumbent CJI delivering the convocation address has been a longstanding NALSAR tradition for years, and the university had not officially confirmed any chief guest or publicly responded to the students.
CJI's reported remarks during the NEET protest hearings
Students Opposing the Invitation
Students say reported remarks, including calling protesters 'cockroaches', 'Don't waste our time' and refusing to watch video evidence, appeared dismissive of serious allegations of police brutality.
Supporters of the CJI and Convocation Tradition
The CJI issued a clarification that he was 'misquoted' by sections of the media and that his criticism was directed solely at those who joined professions through 'fake or bogus degrees'.
Future of the convocation ceremony
Students Opposing the Invitation
Students sought a meeting with the administration to discuss their concerns and requested a response, preferably by Monday, with some batches expressing 'vehement opposition' to the CJI's presence.
Supporters of the CJI and Convocation Tradition
A faculty member said the administration has been 'very tight-lipped' and that there are talks the ceremony could be cancelled this year to prevent further embarrassment to the Chief Justice of India.
Key facts
- University
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Objecting students
- More than 450, including outgoing Batch of 2026 and classes of 2027-2031
- Chief guest in question
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- Event
- 2026 convocation (date not yet announced)
- Reported CJI remarks cited
- 'Don't waste our time'; 'We are not interested in videos. We don't have time to watch'; protesters called 'cockroaches'
- CJI clarification
- Says he was 'misquoted'; criticism directed at those with 'fake or bogus degrees'
- Protest context
- 'Chalo Sansad' at Jantar Mantar, July 20, called by the Cockroach Janta Party over the NEET exam and National Testing Agency; more than 170 protesters reportedly injured (one report says over 70)
- First representation
- Sent July 23 by 70 outgoing LLB students; about 380 students from classes of 2027-2031 joined by July 25
Quotes
NALSAR students of the 2026 batch
Members of the 2026 graduating batch at NALSAR University of Law
“"As students of law, our concern is narrower and more specific to us as a graduating batch. A convocation is meant to be a moment where the University's own values, including a commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice, and reasoned engagement with grievances, are visibly reflected in the choices it makes."”
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theprint.in
“We feel that receiving our degrees from a dignitary whose recent public conduct, as reported, appears dismissive of serious allegations of police brutality against protesting citizens sits uncomfortably with what we have been taught to value during our time at NALSAR”
theprint.in
Sources
NALSAR students oppose CJI's invite to convocation
'Strongly Reconsider': Hyderabad Law University Students Oppose CJI Surya Kant's Convocation Invite
Top Law College Invites Chief Justice Surya Kant To Convocation, Students React
Hyderabad-based NALSAR students urge university not to invite CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest. Here's why
'Students Willing To Challenge Judicial Authority': Saurav Das Hails NALSAR Batch For Opposing CJI Surya Kant As Convocation Chief Guest
‘Reconsider choice’: NALSAR students urge university not to invite CJI to convocation
Section of NALSAR students objects to CJI Surya Kant as chief guest to convocation
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