NLSIU Bengaluru Students Oppose Invite to CJI, BCI Chief for Convocation

Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in 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 university's convocation ceremony.

The open letter opposing their presence was signed by 165 students from NLSIU’s graduating class of 2026, 409 students from the current batch, and 128 alumni. The move follows similar opposition raised earlier by students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) in Hyderabad.

In their statement, the NLSIU student body extended unconditional solidarity to the students of NALSAR, who had faced action from the BCI chairman after opposing an invitation to CJI Surya Kant for NALSAR’s convocation. The NLSIU signatories stated that they disapproved of the CJI attending their own convocation for the same reasons.

The letter addressed the BCI's recent actions against NALSAR students and faculty. While acknowledging that the BCI had closed all proceedings against NALSAR, the students argued that the initiation of such unconstitutional and illegal proceedings by a statutory body against members of a public university remained deeply problematic and did not dilute the responsibility of the BCI or its leadership.

The signatories pointed out that even after recalling the inquiry order and the ban on enrolment, the BCI failed to acknowledge the arbitrary and illegal nature of its actions. They stated that the open letter was issued to set the record straight and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

The student statement further criticised the haste of the directions issued by Mishra, alleging that the chairman assumed a position of omnipotence and presumed a consensus within the council. The students noted that repeated misconduct by the BCI chairman had eroded public trust in the legal profession, adding that as young lawyers and citizens, they demanded a better BCI.

Alongside demanding an apology from the statutory regulatory body, the NLSIU students expressed strong disapproval regarding Manan Kumar Mishra attending the NLSIU convocation without taking responsibility for his conduct.