BCI Reverses NALSAR Enrolment Freeze After Student Protest Over CJI
The Bar Council of India (BCI) briefly froze enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduates after students opposed Chief Justice Surya Kant as convocation chief guest, citing his remarks on police excesses. Within hours, the BCI withdrew the order, allowing all graduates to enrol, while seeking an inquiry into the protest. The incident raised legal questions about the BCI’s authority and sparked criticism from student groups like ABVP.
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Dissent, Degrees, and the Bar: Inside the NALSAR-CJI Controversy
Students at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad wrote to their administration in early August 2026, asking that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant not be invited as chief guest at their convocation. The request stemmed from the CJI's controversial 'cockroach' remark about young people and his refusal to view video evidence of alleged police brutality against student protesters. The letter was leaked to the media, sparking a national debate. The Bar Council of India (BCI), led by Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, initially ordered all state bar councils to withhold enrollment of the entire 1,400-student graduating class pending an inquiry. After swift backlash, the BCI issued a second circular allowing the 'vast majority' to enroll, and later dropped the inquiry entirely. The case raises constitutional questions about the limits of dissent for law students and future lawyers, and the authority of the bar regulator over non-advocates.
NLSIU students and alumni oppose CJI and BCI Chairman attending convocation
Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, have issued an open letter opposing the attendance of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the upcoming NLSIU convocation. The letter, signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni, expresses solidarity with NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, which had previously requested reconsideration of CJI Kant as its convocation chief guest. The signatories condemn the now-withdrawn BCI directive to halt enrollment of NALSAR students as advocates, calling it an infringement on free speech. They demand an unconditional apology from the BCI for attempting to violate fundamental rights and criticize Chairman Mishra for using his position to make partisan political comments, including labeling protesting students as 'anti-social and anti-national forces.' The letter argues that inviting persons who have shown disdain for students to confer degrees is offensive and humiliating.
NLSIU students and alumni oppose CJI Surya Kant and BCI chairman attending convocation
Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) have publicly opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the upcoming convocation. In a statement dated August 15, 2026, signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni, they condemned the now-withdrawn BCI order that halted enrolment of NALSAR University of Law students. They expressed solidarity with NALSAR students, who protested the CJI's proposed campus visit, calling their actions courageous. The statement argues that inviting persons who have shown 'disdain and condescension' toward students is humiliating. They demand an unconditional apology from the BCI for infringing on free speech and warn of a 'chilling effect' on dissent. The CJI had previously criticized the BCI's interference, stating the issue was a dialogue between him and the students.
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NALSAR Student Bar Rejects BCI's Authority to Block Batch Enrolment, Demands Apology
The Student Bar Council (SBC) of NALSAR University of Law has strongly condemned the Bar Council of India's (BCI) blanket restriction preventing the university's 2026 graduating batch from enrolling with any State Bar Council. In a statement issued after midnight on August 14, 2026, the SBC argued that the provisions cited by the BCI, including sections of the Advocates Act and a 2002 Supreme Court ruling, do not authorize such restrictions. The SBC raised privacy concerns over proposed identification of students and faculty, and invoked Article 19(1)(a) to affirm that universities must protect independent thought and criticism of authority. The Council demanded an apology from BCI Chairman and MP Manan Kumar Mishra for his language against the NALSAR community, situating the incident within wider concerns over repression and unfreedom.
NALSAR alumni condemn BCI letters over student free speech
Alumni of NALSAR University of Law have strongly condemned letters sent by Bar Council of India (BCI) President Manan Kumar Mishra on August 13, 2026, regarding students who expressed views on inviting the Chief Justice of India to the university's convocation. The alumni statement criticized the letters for lacking empathy, disregarding fundamental free speech rights, and adopting an arbitrary, high-handed approach toward students and faculty. The first letter had barred 2026 graduates from enrolling as advocates and demanded an inquiry into the 'campaign,' but these restrictions were withdrawn after public pressure. The alumni questioned BCI's jurisdiction to intervene in internal university matters, noting its statutory role is limited to legal education standards. They also objected to the letters' language accusing participants of 'groupism, dirty politics, and misguiding students,' arguing that dissent is not a criminal offense and universities must remain spaces for free inquiry. The alumni urged BCI to adopt dialogue over coercion.
NALSAR Row: BCI Freezes Then Unfreezes Enrolment of 2026 Graduates Amid Legal Questions
The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra initially ordered a freeze on the enrolment of all NALSAR 2026 graduates with State Bar Councils, following a student campaign opposing Chief Justice Surya Kant's participation in the convocation. The BCI Council later modified this order, allowing graduates to enrol while continuing an inquiry into the campaign. The article examines the statutory powers of the BCI under the Advocates Act, 1961, questioning the legality of a batch-wide restriction without individual responsibility. It highlights the BCI's supervisory powers over State Bar Councils and the Chairman's authority to pass interim orders, but notes the lack of statutory basis for a blanket enrolment freeze.
Bar Council's NALSAR Enrolment U-turn Draws ABVP Criticism
The Bar Council of India (BCI) initially barred NALSAR University's 2026 graduating students from enrolling as advocates after they protested against inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to their convocation. Following criticism from the CJI, the BCI withdrew the ban, with Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra admitting the decision was taken in haste and that most students were not involved in the alleged misconduct. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the RSS, criticized the BCI's approach as 'deeply flawed,' arguing that innocent students should not be held accountable for actions they had no role in. The BCI subsequently allowed all 2026 batch students to enrol with state bar councils of their choice, stating the matter was closed to avoid confrontation between students and the judiciary.
Bar Council Drops Proceedings Against NALSAR Graduates Over CJI Boycott Call
The Bar Council of India has decided to drop disciplinary proceedings against a group of graduates from NALSAR University of Law who had called for a boycott of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud. The graduates had issued a statement urging lawyers and law students to boycott the CJI's events, citing concerns over judicial independence and the handling of certain cases. The Bar Council initially initiated proceedings against them, alleging professional misconduct. However, after reviewing the matter, the council chose to withdraw the proceedings, effectively closing the case. The decision marks a significant development in the ongoing debate about the limits of criticism of the judiciary by legal professionals and students.
NALSAR Executive Council to Decide on Constitutionality of BCI-Sought Inquiry Over Student Protest
NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, will consult its Executive Council to determine whether conducting an inquiry requested by the Bar Council of India (BCI) is constitutional. The BCI had initially disallowed enrollment of all graduating students of the B.A., LL.B. (Hons) 2026 batch, then rescinded that directive within hours. Both letters, however, asked the Vice-Chancellor for an inquiry report regarding students' campaign against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being the chief guest at the 2026 convocation. About 450 students from the 2026 batch and junior batches had emailed the university on July 23 demanding reconsideration of the CJI's invitation, but received no response. The controversy was first reported by The Hindu on August 9. NALSAR's Vice-Chancellor stated the university must consider whether such an inquiry would be a constitutional exercise of its powers under its governance regulations.
BCI withdraws NALSAR enrolment freeze within hours, says all 2026 graduates can enrol
The Bar Council of India (BCI) initially directed state bar councils to freeze enrolment of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates after students opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as convocation chief guest, citing his remarks on police excesses against NEET protesters. Within hours, the BCI withdrew the order, stating the 'vast majority' of graduates were innocent and not involved in the 'move of disrespect.' The BCI will await an inquiry report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before further action, noting that a 'handful of teachers and outsiders' may have instigated students. The initial BCI communication had criticized the student campaign as inconsistent with legal profession ethics.