Last Updated:
The NLSIU administration cancelled the convocation after students protested against the proposed participation of BCI Chairman and CJI Surya Kant.
File image of National Law School of India University and CJI Surya Kant. (Source: X/PTI)
After the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, cancelled its 2026 convocation, the Student Bar Council of NALSAR University of Law called the move “cruel” and expressed solidarity with the graduating students.
The NLSIU administration cancelled the convocation after students protested against the proposed participation of Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant at the event.
In a statement, the NALSAR Student Bar Council said taking away the opportunity from students to celebrate the milestone with their families and friends was “cruel”. It said students had already made arrangements to attend the convocation, including arrangements for their families.
“We acknowledge the statutory design of NLSIU, where the office of the Chancellor is helmed by the CJI in their ex officio capacity. Convocations are convened by the Chancellor, and degrees are conferred in their name. In this light, students had agreed to the presence of the CJI at their convocation,” the council said.
However, it said it was “particularly concerning” that students were allegedly asked to issue a public letter of “re-invitation” to the CJI, a condition it claimed was introduced after the students had agreed to his presence.
The council said the actual sequence of events could only be clarified by those directly involved, but claimed it had been informed that the NLSIU administration had not asked students to issue any such public letter.
“Such a request, when rejected by the students, led to the unfortunate cancellation of the convocation by the administration,” it said.
The council further said that, in the backdrop of the ongoing BCI controversy, asking students to publicly re-invite the CJI would amount to asking them to withdraw their dissent and give up their “principled act of solidarity”.
“Such imposition of an onerous burden on the graduating cohort, by pushing them to choose between a lifetime event, i.e. convocation, and their right to dissent, will have only one consequence: a chilling effect on future acts of dissent and solidarity,” the council said.
It also criticised the alleged demand for a public letter if it had come from the CJI’s office, calling it “incredibly unfortunate” and arguing that the interests of students should have taken precedence.
The council also pointed to remarks made by CJI Surya Kant during Supreme Court proceedings concerning the BCI’s action against NALSAR students. It said the Chief Justice had recognised the students’ right to protest and observed that they should be allowed to peacefully raise their voices. The court had also restrained punitive or criminal action against students and faculty in connection with the matter, the council said.
“In this context, the subsequent requirement of a public statement inviting the Chief Justice, and the linking of that requirement to the holding of the convocation, is a matter of great concern,” it said.
The NALSAR council said it remained unclear whether the situation was solely the result of any action by the NLSIU administration. However, it said the episode pointed to “grave acts of omission and absence of care” towards the students.
It also criticised the administration for cancelling the convocation at short notice with an “oblique reference” to “unavoidable circumstances”, saying this fell short of the transparency expected from a legal institution.
“It is apparent that other options including postponing of convocation etc., were not explored,” the council said.
About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
August 31, 2026, 6:16 PM IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
