Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Lawyers Demand BCI Chief’s Resignation Over NALSAR Order
Lawyers protested against the head of the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra.
They wanted him to resign.
The disagreement began when some students at NALSAR objected to inviting Chief Justice Surya Kant to their convocation.
The Bar Council then temporarily stopped the entire graduating class from enrolling as lawyers.
Many people said it was unfair to punish all students for the actions of a few.
The order was withdrawn within hours.
Mishra apologised if his words or the council’s letter had hurt students.
The Chief Justice declined the invitation, while the council said its investigation would continue.
Lawyers protested outside the Bar Council of India headquarters in New Delhi on Thursday, August 20.
The All India Young Advocates Association organised the demonstration, supported by the Cockroach Janta Party.
The BCI had ordered State Bar Councils to freeze enrolment of NALSAR’s entire 2026 graduating batch.
The order followed students’ objections to inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to NALSAR’s convocation.
The BCI withdrew the order within hours, but critics continued demanding Manan Kumar Mishra’s resignation and institutional reforms.
- Who
- Lawyers, the All India Young Advocates Association, the Cockroach Janta Party, Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, NALSAR students and the Bombay Bar Association.
- What
- A protest demanding Mishra’s resignation over the BCI’s withdrawn enrolment order concerning NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch.
- When
- Thursday, August 20; the Bombay Bar Association called for Mishra’s resignation on August 18, and Mishra apologised on Independence Day.
- Where
- Outside the Bar Council of India headquarters in New Delhi; the underlying dispute concerns NALSAR University of Law.
- Why
- The protest followed criticism of the BCI’s decision to block enrolment of NALSAR’s entire graduating batch after some students objected to Surya Kant’s proposed participation in the convocation.
Critics and Protesters
BCI and Mishra
The enrolment order
Critics and Protesters
Critics said blocking the entire graduating batch was unfair and questioned the legal basis for issuing the order on BCI letterhead. The Bombay Bar Association described it as an abuse of office.
BCI and Mishra
The BCI withdrew the directive and said the vast majority of students were innocent and should not suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few.
Mishra’s apology
Critics and Protesters
Critics, including the Bombay Bar Association and NALSAR’s Student Bar Council, sought a public apology and said Mishra’s apology was belated and insufficient while he remained chairman.
BCI and Mishra
Mishra said he sincerely regretted and apologised if his words or the BCI’s letter had hurt students, adding that their concerns deserved patience, sensitivity and respect.
The BCI’s role
Critics and Protesters
Protesting lawyers accused Mishra of using the BCI to advance political agendas and demanded reforms, including fresh elections, better inspections of law colleges and stronger protection for advocates.
BCI and Mishra
The BCI said it was examining allegations about a campaign against Surya Kant’s participation in the convocation and would continue its inquiry.
- Protest organiser
- The All India Young Advocates Association called the demonstration.
- Protest supporters
- The Cockroach Janta Party backed the protest and the resignation demand.
- Main demand
- Protesters sought the resignation of Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
- Original BCI directive
- State Bar Councils were told not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch as advocates.
- Order reversal
- The BCI withdrew the directive within hours and clarified that all 2026 graduates could enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice.
- Mishra’s response
- Mishra apologised if his words or the BCI’s communication had hurt law students.
- CJI’s decision
- Surya Kant declined NALSAR’s invitation and said he had never consented to it.
- Continuing inquiry
- The BCI said its investigation into the controversy would continue.
