Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has said he never agreed to attend the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law's convocation as its chief guest, amid a growing controversy over student opposition to his proposed participation.
According to a Times of India report, Kant said he "never consented to Nalsar's invitation" and that "the question of me attending the convocation does not arise".
The development comes after around 400 NALSAR students protested against the invitation, objecting to the CJI's remarks during proceedings concerning a students' march in Delhi and alleged police action against protesters.
Students' protest triggers BCI backlash
NALSAR had invited the CJI as chief guest as part of its convocation tradition. The ceremony is expected to take place towards the end of August or in September.
The students' opposition was linked to proceedings before a bench headed by CJI Kant on July 22. An advocate had sought suo motu cognisance of alleged police brutality during a students' march on July 20 and said he had video footage of the incident.
The bench declined the request and asked the advocate to file a proper petition, with Kant telling him not to waste judicial time when he persisted with the request.
The protest subsequently triggered a strong response from the Bar Council of India (BCI).
CJI backs students' right to protest
BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra wrote to the NALSAR vice-chancellor seeking an inquiry and asked the university to identify students involved in the protest. He also threatened to debar the 2026 graduating batch from registering as advocates.
The BCI later directed state bar councils not to enrol any 2026 NALSAR graduate until further orders. The decision was reversed within hours following widespread criticism on social media.
CJI Kant also criticised the BCI's action during court proceedings. "It's a dialogue between students and me," he said, stressing that students have the right to protest.
BCI withdraws controversial directive
The controversy deepened after the BCI's initial decision to target the graduating batch, but the directive was subsequently revoked.
The CJI's latest clarification that he had not accepted NALSAR's invitation effectively removes the immediate question of his participation in the convocation.
The episode has nevertheless drawn attention to the disagreement between students, the legal regulator and the judiciary over the students' right to express opposition.