The Supreme Court of India, under the leadership of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, expressed strong disapproval of the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) recent circular that targeted students from NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad. The circular initially barred the 2026 graduating class from enrolling as advocates due to their protests against CJI Kant. The BCI has since retracted the order.
During the court proceedings, CJI Kant criticized the BCI’s intervention, stating, “This is absolutely uncalled for. It’s a dialogue between students and me. Who are they to raise an issue? This is totally uncalled for. In my student days, I actively participated in student activities. Even if they are wrong, they have a right to protest. BCI doesn’t have any business involved in this matter.”
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar presented the issue before the Supreme Court bench, which included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, alongside CJI Kant. Parameshwar argued that the BCI should not interfere in university affairs.
Despite the BCI’s withdrawal of the controversial circular, the Supreme Court issued a notice to prevent any punitive measures against NALSAR’s students or faculty, emphasizing that no action should be taken against any national law university or its members. The court directed, “Issue notice. Meanwhile, no punitive action shall be taken against students or faculty of any national law university. BCI accepts notice. Pending circular has been withdrawn. Be that as it may, let a counter affidavit be filed within two weeks. No punitive action to be taken against students of NALSAR in relation to the incidents mentioned.”
CJI Kant further encouraged the students to continue their legal education and professional journey, stating, “Even in their youth, if someone makes a wrong statement, it doesn’t negate their right to protest. Please tell all the students to get enrolled, join the Supreme Court bar, and we will empanel them for legal aid cases.”
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The origin of the controversy was a letter from NALSAR students to their university administration, voicing their disapproval of CJI Kant being invited as the chief guest for their convocation. The students criticized CJI Kant for his perceived inaction on police brutality during recent protests at Jantar Mantar. The letter referenced an incident where CJI Kant allegedly dismissed a lawyer’s request for an urgent hearing on the matter, saying, “Don’t waste our time, and don’t waste your time,” and expressed disinterest in video evidence of police actions.
The initial BCI circular, based on unverified claims of internal “groupism” and “dirty politics” among NALSAR faculty, sought to penalize the entire 2026 batch. It accused academic staff of misleading students and engaging in campus politics, asserting that the BCI, as a legal education regulator, could not ignore such issues.
Within hours, a second BCI circular reversed the enrolment ban but maintained that an inquiry should be conducted to identify those responsible for organizing the protest against CJI Kant’s convocation invitation. The BCI also requested an inquiry report from NALSAR University.
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Following the BCI’s actions, NALSAR’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao, released a statement indicating that the university would review whether such an inquiry aligns with its governance policies.
