2 weeks ago
NALSAR alumni condemn Bar Council's 'witch hunt' over convocation
Some students at a big law school in India did not want a top judge to come to their graduation ceremony.
Around 450 students asked the school not to invite him.
The group that decides who can become a lawyer in India got upset.
It told all the state groups not to accept any of the school's 2026 graduates as lawyers.
It also asked for a report naming the students and teachers involved in the campaign.
Many people said that was unfair, and the group took back its order within hours.
Then hundreds of former students wrote a letter to complain.
They said the group had no right to punish everyone for the actions of a few and that its scary language hurt students' feelings.
They said students should be free to share their ideas without fear, because disagreeing is not a crime in India.
The top judge also said the group was wrong, and another student group agreed that blaming the whole class was not fair.
Over 400 alumni of NALSAR University of Law released an open letter to Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, calling the council's action a 'witch hunt' (reports cite over 400, 440 and 441 alumni).
The BCI on August 13 directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 graduates as advocates and sought an inquiry naming students and faculty, but withdrew both directives within hours amid criticism.
The dispute began in July, when around 450 of NALSAR's 1,400 students opposed inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to the university convocation in emails to the vice chancellor, registrar and professors.
Alumni said the BCI had no jurisdiction over campus free speech, that its 'coercive' language pressured students' mental health, and that voicing dissent is not a criminal offence in India.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad criticised the blanket restriction as unfair without individual responsibility, while CJI Surya Kant sharply pulled up the BCI over its order.
- Who
- Around 440 alumni of NALSAR University of Law (reported as over 400, 440 and 441), Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
- What
- Alumni released a scathing open letter condemning the BCI after it briefly barred NALSAR's 2026 graduates from enrolling as advocates and sought an inquiry into students and faculty over a campaign against inviting the CJI to the convocation.
- Where
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India.
- When
- The BCI issued two letters on August 13 and withdrew both within hours; the alumni letter was released on Friday (August 14), and the student campaign began in July.
- Why
- The BCI acted after around 450 students objected, in emails to the vice chancellor, registrar and professors, to inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest to the university convocation.
Critics of the BCI (NALSAR alumni and ABVP)
Bar Council of India
Jurisdiction over campus speech
Critics of the BCI (NALSAR alumni and ABVP)
Matters of free speech on university campuses are internal to NALSAR and beyond the BCI's jurisdiction; the statutory body's role is limited to regulating the legal profession and standards of legal education.
Bar Council of India
The BCI, as a statutory body entrusted with regulating the legal profession and legal education, issued the August 13 communications that it deemed within its authority, though it withdrew them within hours.
Collective punishment
Critics of the BCI (NALSAR alumni and ABVP)
A blanket restriction affecting an entire graduating batch without establishing each student's individual role is neither fair nor justified and violates principles of natural justice, as the ABVP argued.
Bar Council of India
The BCI initially barred all 2026 NALSAR graduates from enrolment and sought an inquiry naming those responsible, then reversed both directions following widespread criticism.
Tone and approach
Critics of the BCI (NALSAR alumni and ABVP)
The BCI's language of coercion and domination restricts student speech and pressures mental health; disagreements should be handled through dialogue and discussion, not witch hunts, since voicing dissent is not a criminal offence in India.
Bar Council of India
The BCI's first letter alleged 'groupism', 'dirty politics', 'nasty politics' and students being 'instigated and misguided' in connection with the campaign against the CJI's invitation.
Key facts
- University
- National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University of Law, Hyderabad (NALSAR)
- Alumni signing letter
- About 440 (reported as over 400, 440 and 441)
- Students who campaigned
- Around 450 out of 1,400 students
- BCI directive
- Bar state bar councils from enrolling NALSAR 2026 graduates and seek an inquiry report
- Directive status
- Both directives withdrawn within hours after criticism
- Open letter addressed to
- BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra
- Student campaign target
- Invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to the convocation
- Also criticised by
- Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and CJI Surya Kant
Quotes
441 Nalsar Alumni
Group of Nalsar University alumni
““What is more disturbing is that the language of the first letter reflects a predisposition to dominate students and faculty with coercive threats that restrict speech on university campuses, putting tremendous pressure on the mental health of students.””
indianexpress.com
“"You (BCI chairman) must seriously reflect upon the unconstitutional, arbitrary, and inhumane messages"],”
telegraphindia.com
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
Student organization representing right-wing groups in India
““Collective action against an entire batch without establishing individual responsibility is neither fair nor justified.””
indianexpress.com
Sources
Over 400 NALSAR alumni condemn BCI”s letter, allege attempt to coerce students
441 NALSAR Alumni Condemn BCI Action Against Students
‘Witch hunt’: 400 NALSAR alumni slam Bar Council of India over withdrawn order against law students
NALSAR alumni’s scathing letter to Bar Council: ‘Coercive threats… pressure mental health of students’
'Unconstitutional, arbitrary': NALSAR alumni flay Bar Council's 'distasteful' order - Telegraph India
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