Archive · 18 Aug 2026
NLSIU Students, Alumni Oppose CJI, BCI Chief at Convocation
Some students and former students at a big law school in India are upset.
They do not want two important leaders to come to their graduation ceremony.
These leaders are the Chief Justice of India and the head of the Bar Council of India.
The students are upset because the Bar Council told another law school's students they could not become lawyers.
This happened because those students did not want the Chief Justice to visit their school.
The order was quickly taken back after many people complained online.
The leader of the Bar Council said sorry, but the students still think it was wrong and unfair.
They say it hurts free speech for everyone.
They want the Bar Council to say sorry to the other school's students and teachers.
They think having these leaders at their graduation would be mean and disrespectful.
NLSIU students and alumni opposed CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the university's upcoming convocation.
The opposition stems from the now-withdrawn BCI order halting enrolment of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates.
The BCI order was reversed within hours after an uproar on social media, and Chairman Mishra later apologised to law students.
A statement signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni condemned the BCI's actions as 'unconstitutional and illegal'.
The statement demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to NALSAR students and faculty for infringing their right to free speech.
- Who
- NLSIU students and alumni, CJI Surya Kant, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, and NALSAR University of Law students
- What
- NLSIU students and alumni opposed the CJI and BCI Chairman attending the convocation over the BCI's withdrawn order against NALSAR students
- When
- Statement dated August 15; CJI comments on August 14
- Where
- Bengaluru, India (NLSIU); involving NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- Why
- Because the BCI had ordered halting enrolment of NALSAR 2026 graduates after they objected to the CJI's proposed campus visit, which students saw as an attack on free speech
Students and Alumni
BCI and CJI
BCI order against NALSAR students
Students and Alumni
The order was unconstitutional, illegal, and an attack on free speech, creating a chilling effect on dissent across the country.
BCI and CJI
The BCI reversed the order within hours after social media uproar and Chairman Mishra apologised; the CJI said students have a right to protest and called it a dialogue between students and him.
Officials attending convocation
Students and Alumni
Inviting officials who expressed disdain toward students is offensive, humiliating, and a mockery of students' struggles.
BCI and CJI
The CJI framed the interaction as a dialogue with students, suggesting attendance is appropriate.
- Institution
- National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
- Opposed officials
- CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra
- Related university
- NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
- BCI action
- Order halting enrolment of NALSAR 2026 graduates; withdrawn within hours
- BCI response
- Chairman Mishra apologised to law students after withdrawing the order
- Statement signatories
- 165 graduating students, 409 current students, 128 alumni
- Demand
- Unconditional apology from BCI to NALSAR students and faculty
