2 weeks ago
Bar Council Halts, Then Lifts NALSAR Graduate Enrolment Ban
The Bar Council of India is the group that decides who can become a lawyer in India.
Students at a big law school in Hyderabad did not want the Chief Justice of India to come to their graduation ceremony.
They were upset because he had said unkind things during a court case about police hurting protesters.
The Bar Council got angry and said no one from the 2026 class could become a lawyer for now.
Many people thought this was unfair, because most students had nothing to do with the protest.
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party said the punishment was too big and warned they would protest.
That same day, the Bar Council changed its mind and said all the students could become lawyers again.
They still want to investigate the students and teachers who helped organise the protest.
The Chief Justice made his remarks after lawyers wanted to show videos of police hurting protesters.
The whole story shows how one argument can have big consequences.
The Bar Council of India on Thursday directed all state bar councils to halt enrolment of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates after nearly 450 of roughly 1,400 students campaigned against inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to the convocation.
The students objected to remarks the chief justice reportedly made during a July 22 Supreme Court hearing — "don't waste our time and yours" and "we don't want to watch any videos" — in a petition alleging police excesses against Jantar Mantar protesters.
BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra gave the university three days to submit a report identifying those "principally instrumental" in the campaign and alleged "groupism and dirty politics" among some academic staff.
Hours later, the BCI withdrew the blanket ban, saying the "vast majority" of 2026 graduates were innocent and entitled to enrol with the state bar council of their choice, while continuing its inquiry.
The Cockroach Janta Party, which organised the July 20 "Chalo Sansad" protest, called the directive "grossly disproportionate" and "prima facie indefensible" and threatened protests if it was not withdrawn.
- Who
- The Bar Council of India (BCI), chaired by Manan Kumar Mishra; students of NALSAR University of Law; Chief Justice of India Surya Kant; NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao; and the Cockroach Janta Party.
- What
- The BCI directed all state bar councils to stop enrolling NALSAR's 2026 graduates as advocates, then withdrew the blanket order hours later while continuing its inquiry into those "principally instrumental" in the campaign against the CJI's convocation invitation.
- Where
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; the Supreme Court of India and Jantar Mantar, Delhi.
- When
- The order was issued and withdrawn on Thursday, August 13, 2026, following a July 20 Jantar Mantar protest and remarks during a July 22 Supreme Court hearing; a final BCI decision is expected on August 19.
- Why
- Students objected to the CJI's reported remarks during a hearing on alleged police excesses against protesters, which they saw as dismissive; the BCI said disrespect toward the highest judicial office made such students a "liability on the profession."
Students and Cockroach Janta Party
Bar Council of India
Collective punishment
Students and Cockroach Janta Party
Students cannot be "collectively penalised for expressing dissent over a ceremonial invitation"; the directive was "grossly disproportionate" and "prima facie indefensible."
Bar Council of India
A law student with no regard or respect for the highest judicial office is "not expected to be a responsible or sensible Advocate, Teacher or a Judge" and would always be a "liability on the profession."
CJI's remarks and protest motive
Students and Cockroach Janta Party
The CJI's reported remarks — refusing to watch video evidence of alleged police brutality against protesters — appeared dismissive of serious allegations, making it inappropriate to receive degrees from him.
Bar Council of India
The campaign against the CJI's participation was an act of disrespect toward the highest judicial office that the regulator, as guardian of legal education, could not ignore.
Role of faculty
Students and Cockroach Janta Party
The students formally submitted representations to university authorities expressing their objections; no student account of being misled or instigated by teachers is reported.
Bar Council of India
Citing "some reliable sources," the BCI alleged "groupism and dirty politics" among academic staff and said "a handful of teachers and outsiders" instigated and misled innocent students.
Key facts
- Regulator
- Bar Council of India (BCI)
- BCI Chairperson
- Manan Kumar Mishra, BJP Rajya Sabha MP
- Institution
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (ranked third among law institutions in NIRF 2025)
- Vice-Chancellor
- Srikrishna Deva Rao
- Students in campaign
- Around 450 of NALSAR's roughly 1,400 students; first representation by 70 LLB students on July 23
- Timeline
- Enrolment ban issued and withdrawn on August 13, 2026; final decision on August 19
- Trigger
- CJI Surya Kant's reported remarks during a July 22 hearing on alleged police excesses at the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest
- Status
- Blanket ban lifted; inquiry into those "principally instrumental" in the campaign continues
Quotes
BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra
Chairman of the Bar Council of India
“"After thorough discussion the Members are of the unanimous view that as per the latest report, vast majority of the students of NALSAR (2026 pass out students) are innocent and they were not inclined to take part in the move of disrespect. Accordingly, the Council modifies the order of Chairman with regard to the ban on the enrolment of the NALSAR Students with the State Bar Councils. All the students will be entitled to get enrolled with the State Bar Councils of their choice."”
businesstoday.in
“"A student of Law, having no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible Advocate, Teacher or a Judge,"”
NDTV
Abhijeet Dipke
Founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, vocal critic of CJI Surya Kant
“"If Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra does not withdraw this order immediately, then all law students, advocates, senior lawyers, and well‑meaning young cockroaches will protest outside the Bar Council’s office and Mishra’s official residence, and their respective states."”
thestatesman.com
“"The modification of the BCI’s earlier decision is a welcome and reassuring step."”
livemint.com
Sources
Bar Council of India halts enrolment for NALSAR graduates over CJI Surya Kant boycott call
CJI boycott campaign: Bar Council reverses directive halting enrolment of NALSAR law graduates
Bar Council 'Bars' 2026 Batch Of Top Law College Over Chief Justice Invite Row
Sword of NALSAR: Bar Council's U-turn after enrolment ban over CJI 'boycott' sparks row
Bar Council halts NALSAR student enrolment over campaign against CJI, withdraws order hours later
BCI Bars Enrolment Of 2026 NALSAR Graduates After Students Protest CJI Surya Kant Invitation
BCI halts enrollment of NALSAR 2026 batch students as advocate over campaign against CJI Surya Kant; CJP reacts
A ban on an entire batch and a U-turn later, Bar Council seeks Nalsar report on anti-CJI campaign
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