Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru have opposed the proposed invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra for the university's upcoming convocation.
The development comes days after a dispute at NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, where the BCI initially directed that students from the 2026 graduating batch should not be enrolled as advocates after some students objected to Justice Kant being invited to their convocation.
NLSIU students back NALSAR counterparts
In a letter issued on Saturday, NLSIU students and alumni expressed "unconditional solidarity" with the NALSAR students and questioned the conduct of the BCI chairman.
The group said the controversy was about more than a convocation invitation. According to the statement, students at leading law institutions should be able to disagree with powerful public officials and institutions without worrying about consequences for their future careers.
"We stand in unconditional solidarity with our fellow students at NALSAR who have shown exemplary courage and moral conviction in speaking truth to power," the statement said.
The NLSIU group has sought an unconditional apology from the BCI to the NALSAR student and faculty community. It also accused the council of infringing on students' right to freedom of speech and expression and sought an explanation over the use of the BCI's official letterhead in the controversial order.
What happened at NALSAR?
The dispute at NALSAR began after some graduating students objected to Justice Kant being invited as chief guest for their convocation.
Their objections were linked to remarks attributed to the CJI during a request for urgent listing of a petition concerning alleged police brutality during protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Justice Kant was quoted as saying, "Don't waste our time." He later clarified that he had not refused to hear the petition and had instead asked that it be filed in the proper manner.
On Thursday, the BCI issued an order directing state bar councils not to enrol members of NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch until further directions.
BCI withdraws controversial order
The order argued that a student showing no respect for the country's highest judicial office could not be expected to become a "responsible or sensible advocate, teacher or a judge".
The decision triggered criticism, following which Mishra said the "vast majority" of NALSAR students were innocent and should not face consequences for the alleged actions of a few.
The BCI subsequently withdrew the order in its entirety.
NLSIU has previously had both the CJI and BCI chairman associated with its governing bodies. At its 2025 convocation, Justice Kant, then a Supreme Court judge, presided over the ceremony, while Mishra delivered the welcome address.