Archive · 16 Aug 2026
NLSIU students demand BCI apology over revoked NALSAR enrolment order
The Bar Council of India is the group that decides who can become a lawyer in India.
Recently, the Bar Council told state offices to stop students from NALSAR University from becoming lawyers.
This happened because some NALSAR students did not want a top judge, Chief Justice Surya Kant, to come to their graduation ceremony.
The Bar Council took back its order just a few hours later.
But students at another law school, NLSIU, said the Bar Council should still say sorry.
They said the Bar Council did not have the power to block students who had passed their law exams.
They also said the order made students afraid to speak their minds.
Hundreds of NLSIU students and graduates signed a letter asking the Bar Council for an apology.
The letter even quoted a famous poem by Rabindranath Tagore about being fearless.
The students also said they did not want the judge or the Bar Council chairman at their own graduation ceremony.
Students and alumni of NLSIU, Bengaluru, condemned the Bar Council of India's now-withdrawn directive blocking NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch from enrolment as advocates and demanded an unconditional apology.
The statement, released on Independence Day (August 15), was signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni of NLSIU.
Students argued the BCI's action was 'unconstitutional and illegal', exceeding its powers under the Advocates Act, 1961, and questioned Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra's authority to issue the directive unilaterally.
The NLSIU community opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the NLSIU convocation, in solidarity with NALSAR students seeking to reconsider the CJI as chief guest.
A Supreme Court petition seeks term limits for the BCI chairman, including a fixed tenure, a maximum of three terms and a rotational system, citing Mishra's continued tenure since November 2014.
- Who
- Students and alumni of NLSIU, Bengaluru, and the NALSAR Student Bar Council, along with the Bar Council of India led by Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
- What
- NLSIU students condemned the Bar Council of India's withdrawn directive restricting enrolment of NALSAR's 2026 graduates as advocates and demanded an unconditional apology
- When
- Statement released on August 15, 2026 (Independence Day); the BCI letters were dated August 13, 2026
- Where
- Bengaluru (NLSIU) and Hyderabad (NALSAR University of Law), India
- Why
- The BCI acted after some NALSAR students objected to inviting CJI Surya Kant to their convocation; students say the action infringed their fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression
Students and legal academia
Bar Council of India leadership
Restricting enrolment of NALSAR graduates
Students and legal academia
The BCI action was 'unconstitutional and illegal' and beyond its powers under the Advocates Act, 1961; it infringed the fundamental right to free speech under Article 19(1)(a) and was 'nothing less than a witch-hunt' with a 'chilling effect'.
Bar Council of India leadership
The BCI directed State Bar Councils to defer enrolment citing an 'organised campaign' and 'obstruction' and 'disruption' against the CJI's convocation; Chairman Mishra later withdrew the order saying 'it was done in haste.'
CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest
Students and legal academia
NALSAR students oppose inviting the CJI because of his 'cockroach' remarks on unemployed youth, his response to allegations of police using excessive force against protesters in Delhi (Jantar Mantar) on July 20, and his dismissal of video evidence; NLSIU students backed NALSAR's request to reconsider him.
Bar Council of India leadership
NALSAR extended the convocation invitation to the CJI despite student objections, and the CJI himself said it was 'a dialogue between students and me,' questioning why the BCI interfered.
Term limits for BCI office-bearers
Students and legal academia
A Supreme Court petition seeks a fixed tenure, a lifetime maximum of three terms and a rotational system, arguing that Mishra's continued tenure since November 2014 has weakened the representative character of the statutory body.
Bar Council of India leadership
The existing statutory provisions let council members continue in office until their successors are elected; the petition challenges these provisions.
- BCI action
- Directed State Bar Councils to defer enrolment of NALSAR's 2026 graduates as advocates
- Status of order
- Issued August 13, 2026; withdrawn hours later; all proceedings closed
- Signatories
- 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni of NLSIU
- Demand
- Unconditional apology from the Bar Council of India
- Legal basis cited
- Advocates Act, 1961; Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution
- BCI Chairman
- Manan Kumar Mishra, in office since November 2014
- Supreme Court petition
- Seeks fixed tenure, maximum three terms and rotational system for BCI office-bearers
- CJI's response
- Called the row 'a dialogue between students and me' and asked 'Who are they (BCI) to interfere?'
Sources
NLSIU students condemn Bar Council’s now-revoked action against NALSAR graduating batch
NLSIU students, alumni seek BCI's 'apology' to NALSAR; oppose Manan Kumar Mishra, CJI's presence at convocation
After NALSAR, NLSIU Students Oppose CJI, BCI Chairman for Convocation