BCI chief regrets NALSAR enrolment bar order, apologises to law students

Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), has expressed regret over the controversy surrounding the council's decision to bar the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law from enrolling its graduating class. The BCI's actions have caused "concern and anguish" among the law students, Mishra stated in a letter expressing his apology.

He emphasized that peaceful disagreement, questioning, and protest are essential aspects of a constitutional democracy, and students should be free to express their views. Mishra announced that the BCI would now handle the issue with fairness and a spirit of reconciliation, ensuring it does not acquire political or extraneous colors.

The controversy began when the BCI issued a directive on August 13, barring NALSAR's graduating batch from enrolling with state bar councils and ordering the university's Vice-Chancellor to identify students involved in a campaign opposing the invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for the convocation. The move faced immediate resistance within the BCI, with several office-bearers objecting to the decision.

The BCI later withdrew the enrolment ban but retained the direction for an inquiry, which was closed after NALSAR's Vice-Chancellor questioned its constitutional validity. The issue has also reached the Supreme Court, with Chief Justice Surya Kant questioning the BCI's intervention and expressing concern that students have the right to peaceful protest.