Archive · 10 Aug 2026
NALSAR Students Oppose CJI Surya Kant as Convocation Chief Guest
A big group of students at a law university in Hyderabad wrote a letter to their school.
They do not want the Chief Justice of India to be the special guest at their graduation ceremony.
The students were upset because they heard the Chief Justice did not want to listen to a case about police hurting peaceful student protesters.
The students feel that inviting him would go against their school's values of fairness, student rights, and justice.
The Chief Justice says the news reports about him are completely false and irresponsible.
He explained that no official case had been filed in the court that morning, so there was nothing for him to list.
He also said the media misquoted him and that he never called young people 'cockroaches.'
First, 70 graduating students signed the letter, and later more students joined, adding up to about 450.
The university has not yet responded or announced the date of the graduation ceremony.
Around 450 students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad have opposed inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university's 2026 convocation.
Students cited the CJI-led Supreme Court bench's refusal to grant an urgent listing for a plea on alleged police brutality against peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar.
CJI Surya Kant called the media reports 'completely false,' 'irresponsible,' and 'reckless' in open court.
The representation was initially signed by 70 graduating students and later supported by multiple batches.
The university has not officially confirmed the convocation date or issued a formal response to the students' letters.
- Who
- Around 450 students of NALSAR University of Law, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and the Supreme Court bench led by him.
- What
- Students are opposing CJI Surya Kant as chief guest for the 2026 convocation over his reported refusal to hear a plea on alleged police brutality at Jantar Mantar.
- When
- August 2026, ahead of the university's upcoming 2026 convocation.
- Where
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; the disputed plea concerned protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- Why
- Students said the invitation conflicts with NALSAR's values regarding constitutional accountability, student rights, and access to justice.
Students and Protesters
Chief Justice of India
Handling of the police brutality plea
Students and Protesters
The CJI-led bench declined an urgent listing and said 'We don't have time to watch. We are not interested in videos,' ignoring alleged police brutality against peaceful student protesters at Jantar Mantar.
Chief Justice of India
No formal writ petition had been filed in the Supreme Court registry by 10:00 AM that morning; only a letter representation existed, so there was no matter on record to list, and media reports of a refusal were 'completely false.'
'Cockroach' remark controversy
Students and Protesters
The Cockroach Janta Party was formed after earlier reports claimed the CJI compared unemployed youths to 'cockroaches.'
Chief Justice of India
The CJI strongly defended himself, saying he was completely misquoted by sections of the media and that it was entirely baseless to claim he was criticizing young people.
- Students opposing
- Around 450
- University
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Initial signatories
- 70 graduating students, later supported by multiple batches
- Reason for protest
- CJI-led bench refused urgent listing of a plea on alleged police brutality at Jantar Mantar
- CJI's response
- Called reports 'completely false,' 'irresponsible,' and 'reckless'
- Event
- 2026 convocation
- Protest group
- Cockroach Janta Party