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The CJI said students have a right to protest and described the issue as a dialogue between the students and him, questioning the law body’ role in the matter.
CJI further observed that even if a young person makes an incorrect statement, that does not take away their right to protest.
NALSAR Row: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday disapproved of the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) intervention against NALSAR University of Law students and directed that no punitive action be taken against students or faculty of any law university by the BCI or any State Bar Council.
The CJI said students have a right to protest and described the issue as a dialogue between the students and him, questioning the law body’ role in the matter.
While hearing the matter, the CJI said, “‘If they have a cause to protest…BCI has nothing do with this. We are with you. Students have written a letter to me. It’s a dialogue between students and me. This was absolutely unnecessary.Totally uncalled for.”
The Chief Justice also said he had himself been actively involved in student activities when he was a student and that students raising their voices peacefully should be allowed to do so.
“I was also actively involved in student activities as student. Peacefully they are raising voice, they should be allowed,” he said as quoted by LiveLaw.
During oral mentioning, the matter was taken on board and the Supreme Court issued notice. In the interim, the court directed that no punitive action shall be taken against students or faculty of any law university by the BCI or any State Bar Council.
The BCI’s counsel informed the court that the controversial order had already been withdrawn. Senior Advocate K Parmeswar, however, submitted that the cause of action survived despite the withdrawal.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi also questioned the BCI’s decision-making process, asking, “Was BCI convened to take a resolution like that? We want to know.”
The CJI also reassured the students about their professional future and encouraged them to proceed with enrolment.
“Please tell all the students to get enrolled, join Supreme Court Bar, we will empanel them for legal aid courses,” CJI Kant said.
What’s The Row?
On August 13, the Bar Council issued a circular all State Bar Councils not to enrol any student who graduated from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, in 2026 as an advocate until further orders.
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra had asked the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor to submit an authenticated report within three days identifying those who were principally involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.
The decision followed reports that a section of the graduating class had objected to the university’s reported proposal to invite Chief Justice Surya Kant as the chief guest for its forthcoming convocation.
Read More: ‘Issued In Haste’: BCI Chief On Withdrawal Of Order Against Law Students Amid NALSAR-CJI Row
The students’ campaign was prompted by the Chief Justice’s reported remarks during a Supreme Court hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
“A student of Law, having no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible Advocate, Teacher or a Judge,” a statement from the BCI read.
After receiving a huge backlash, the law body made a major U-turn, modifying its earlier order and clarifying that all students who graduated from NALSAR University of Law can enrol as advocates.
“After detailed deliberation, the @barcouncilindia has modified its earlier directions concerning @NALSAR_Official. All 2026 passed-out students of NALSAR will now be entitled to seek enrolment with the State Bar Council of their choice. The factual inquiry will continue, and further action will follow on the basis of the report. No student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his or her part,” BCI chairperson said in a statement.
Later in a late night post, the bar council also decided to drop all proceedings against the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law.
“After considering the representations and reactions of Senior Advocates, learned members of the Bar, law students and public spirited citizens, and being satisfied that the 2026 batch of NALSAR, Hyderabad, had no role in any disturbance or movement, the Bar Council of India has decided to close the proceedings altogether. No further action is required from NALSAR,’ Mishra said in a post on X.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The ruling by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant means that the Bar Council of India (BCI) cannot take punitive action against students or faculty of any law university for protesting. He affirmed that students have a right to protest.
Ask News18About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre…Read More
August 14, 2026, 11:01 IST
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