India
oi-Swastika Sruti
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has modified its earlier order barring NALSAR’s 2026 law graduates from enrolment as advocates, and has now clarified that all students from the batch can enrol with the State Bar Councils.
The Bar Council of India has stopped State Bar Councils from enrolling NALSAR Hyderabad’s 2026 graduates as advocates due to student objections regarding Chief Justice Surya Kant’s invitation as chief guest, citing concerns over his judicial conduct. Enrollment may resume pending a report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor.
In its revised position, the BCI said that, based on information available to it, a handful of teachers and outsiders allegedly instigated innocent students to campaign against Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s reported invitation to the NALSAR convocation. The BCI’s modified order removes the earlier restriction on the enrolment of the 2026 graduating batch.
What Did BCI Stated Eralier?
In its earlier order, the BCI had directed that no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 would be enrolled as an advocate by any State Bar Council until further orders.
It stated that the restriction is not necessarily permanent.
BCI Executive Committee member Advocate V.P. Sharma said the council has sought a report from the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor and that the enrolment process could resume if the inquiry finds no disciplinary violation.
“If there was no indiscipline, then we will go ahead with the enrolment,” Sharma said.
Why Has NALSAR Come Under the BCI’s Scanner?
The controversy began after more than 450 students from NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch reportedly signed a representation opposing the reported invitation of CJI Surya Kant as chief guest for their convocation.
The students addressed their concerns to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, faculty members and other authorities.
They said the convocation date and chief guest had not been formally finalised when they submitted their representation, but they wanted the university to consider their concerns before taking a final decision.
The BCI has now asked the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor to submit a report on the developments.
Why Did Students Object to CJI Surya Kant’s Invitation?
The students’ objection was linked to recent judicial proceedings involving alleged police action against protesters in Delhi.
In their representation, they referred to a July 23 hearing concerning alleged police action during a July 20 march from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament.
The students claimed that the court did not agree to view video material that the petitioners said showed alleged police excesses. They also referred to claims that the petitioner’s counsel was not allowed to continue with certain submissions.
The students further cited allegations regarding injuries suffered by protesters, including women and children.
These are claims made in the students’ representation and remain part of the controversy surrounding the convocation invitation.
Students Raise ‘Cockroaches’ Remark
The representation also referred to a remark attributed by the students to CJI Surya Kant regarding Indian youth and “cockroaches”.
The students said they were uncomfortable with the reported remarks and questioned whether inviting the CJI to their convocation was consistent with the values they associate with legal education.
In their letter, they argued that a convocation is not merely a formal ceremony but also an occasion representing the institution’s commitment to constitutional values, justice and fundamental rights.
Students Say Their Objection Is Not Against the CJI’s Office
The graduating class made it clear that their protest was not against the constitutional post of the Chief Justice of India.
On the contrary, they emphasized that their protest was against whether the conduct and utterances of the CJI in recent proceedings were compatible with the principles taught to them at NALSAR.
They called their stand an issue particular to their graduating batch only.
