NLSIU students back NALSAR protest, oppose CJI Surya Kant at convocation

A group of graduating students and alumni from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru have voiced their opposition to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the university's convocation ceremony. Approximately 165 graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni signed an open letter condemning the BCI's decision to prevent NALSAR graduates from enrolling this year.

The order was issued following a campaign by roughly 450 NALSAR students opposing CJI Surya Kant's invitation to NLSIU's convocation. The protest followed remarks made by the CJI during a hearing of a petition alleging police misconduct during the NEET protests in Delhi, where he suggested, "Please don’t waste our time. We don’t have time to watch these videos."

The statement from the NLSIU students acknowledges that the BCI has ceased proceedings against NALSAR. However, they emphasize that the initiation of unconstitutional and illegal proceedings by a statutory body against students and faculty members of a public university is significant. They demand an unconditional apology from the BCI for attempting to infringe on the fundamental right to free speech and expression for the NALSAR community.

The NLSIU students have also called for the BCI to retract its decision to exclude NALSAR graduates from the convocation ceremony.