BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra urged law students to exercise independent judgment and reaffirmed the importance of peaceful disagreement, questioning and protest

Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman and Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra has expressed regret and apologised to law students if his recent words or letter concerning the ongoing controversy caused hurt, while stressing that students must remain free to express their views, question institutions and engage in peaceful protest.

In an Independence Day message addressed to members of the legal fraternity and particularly to law students, Mishra acknowledged the “concern and anguish” among a section of the student community over developments in recent days.

“If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same,” Mishra said.

He emphasised that an expression of regret should not be viewed as a matter of prestige or ego, but as an acknowledgment that the concerns and feelings of students matter.

BCI Chairman says Students must be heard with 'Patience, Sensitivity and Respect'

Mishra said that whenever students feel hurt or aggrieved, their concerns deserve to be heard “with patience, sensitivity and respect”.

Describing law students, particularly those studying at National Law Universities and other leading centres of legal education, as among the country’s most informed and discerning young citizens, he said they were capable of applying their own independent minds.

“They do not require anyone to decide for them. Nor should they be subjected to pressure or influence from any quarter,” he said.

Mishra further noted that students of leading law universities would go on to become advocates, senior advocates, teachers, scholars and judges, with some potentially occupying the highest positions in the legal and judicial system.

'Peaceful disagreement, questioning and protest' important to constitutional democracy

Addressing the issue of student protest, the BCI Chairman said peaceful disagreement, questioning and protest were important features of a constitutional democracy.

“Students must always remain free to express their views,” he said.

At the same time, Mishra said that the legal tradition also required issues to be reconsidered objectively and with an open mind when further facts or clarifications emerged.

“There is no inconsistency between expressing a genuine grievance and thereafter fairly considering a clarification,” he said.

His remarks come against the backdrop of the recent controversy involving students of National Law Universities and the BCI.

Mishra Appeals to Students to Decide on Convocation participation independently

Mishra also addressed the question of participation in convocation ceremonies, describing convocation as a special occasion representing years of hard work and an important transition in a graduating student's life.

He stressed that the decision whether to participate must ultimately remain with the students. “No student should be compelled to attend, and no student should feel compelled to abstain,” he said.

He appealed to students to take the decision independently after considering the matter in its entirety and according to their own judgment.

'Issue should not be allowed to acquire political or extraneous colour'

The BCI Chairman further called for the present controversy to be approached with fairness and a spirit of reconciliation.

He said the issue should not acquire a “political or extraneous colour through outside influence”, while reiterating that students were mature enough to examine the facts, consider clarifications and take their own decisions.

“Let the students examine the matter themselves. Let every institution respect their independence of thought,” Mishra said.

He also called for space for dialogue and moving forward without bitterness where clarifications had been offered.

'Future Leaders of the Bar, Bench and Legal Academia'

Mishra said the BCI regarded law students as the future of the legal profession and that their dignity, independence of thought and legitimate concerns must always be respected.

At the same time, he emphasised the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and constitutional values for the legal profession.

“Their greatest strength will always be their ability to think independently, listen to differing viewpoints and reach conclusions guided by reason, fairness and the Constitution,” he said.

Concluding his message, Mishra said that the spirit of independent thought, mutual respect and constitutional responsibility was a meaningful message to reaffirm on Independence Day.

He extended Independence Day greetings to law students, teachers, members of the Bar and citizens.

Background

Earlier, the BCI had closed proceedings against the 2026 batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, after considering representations from Senior Advocates, members of the Bar, law students and public-spirited citizens. The Council concluded that the students of the 2026 batch had no role in any disturbance or movement and decided that no further action would be taken against them.

The proceedings had arisen in the backdrop of concerns surrounding developments at NALSAR and the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest at the university's 2026 convocation. The issue had attracted representations and discussions concerning the conduct and participation of students in the events surrounding the controversy.

After considering the material placed before it and the representations received from various stakeholders, the BCI found no basis to proceed against the 2026 batch. The Council has accordingly brought the proceedings to a close.

The BCI had also advised the students that they were free to express their opinions and views, while emphasising that such expression should remain within the bounds of institutional decorum and discipline.

At the same time, the Council had  stressed the significance of the office of the Chief Justice of India, observing that the highest judicial office of the country is a matter of collective pride and should be treated with the requisite respect.

The closure of the proceedings means that no further action will be pursued by the BCI against the 2026 batch in relation to the issue.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Wednesday, late evening had withdrawn its earlier direction barring the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduates as advocates, saying the “vast majority” of the students were innocent and had not intended to participate in any move to “disrespect” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

A fresh communication issued on August 13 reads that the Council had reconsidered its earlier order after deliberations with its members. The Council said all NALSAR students graduating in 2026 would now be entitled to enrol with the State Bar Council of their choice.

The development comes hours after the BCI had directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol any 2026 law graduate from the Hyderabad-based National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) until further orders.

The earlier direction had followed a controversy over a section of NALSAR students opposing the reported invitation to CJI Surya Kant to attend the university’s forthcoming convocation.

The controversy began after students objected to the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at the convocation. Their objection was linked to remarks made by the CJI during Supreme Court proceedings concerning alleged police action against protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.

On July 20, protesters associated with the Cockroach Janta Party had attempted to march towards Parliament, leading to clashes with security personnel.

Two days later, a plea concerning alleged police excesses was mentioned before a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant. During the hearing, counsel referred to alleged police brutality against students and said video evidence was available. The CJI reportedly said, “don’t waste our time and yours” and indicated that the Court did not want to watch videos.

The remarks triggered discontent among students at NALSAR. On July 23, students from the graduating batch submitted a representation to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and professors, asking them to reconsider the CJI’s proposed participation in the convocation. Reports said around 450 students from different batches subsequently expressed support for the objection.

The students argued that the convocation should reflect NALSAR’s commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances. Their objection was specifically tied to what they viewed as the CJI’s handling of allegations of police brutality against protesters.

The BCI, however, viewed the campaign differently. In its earlier order, it directed NALSAR to submit an authenticated report identifying those who had allegedly initiated, organised, coordinated or mobilised the campaign. It also sought copies of representations, petitions or memoranda submitted to the university and the complete list of their signatories. The university was given three days to respond.

The BCI had said that a law student showing “no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country” could not be expected to become a responsible advocate, teacher or judge. It had also said such conduct was inconsistent with the “dignity, discipline and ethical standards” of the legal profession.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra had further alleged, citing what he described as reliable sources, that some teachers had played an active role in “misleading, instigating and misguiding” students and that there was groupism and internal political activity among sections of the academic staff.

The blanket enrolment ban was imposed pending the inquiry. The BCI’s earlier circular stated that no student who obtained a law degree from NALSAR in 2026 would be enrolled by any State Bar Council as an advocate until further orders.

In its fresh August 13 communication, the BCI had said that, according to the latest report, the “vast majority” of the 2026 pass-outs were innocent and were not inclined to participate in any move to disrespect the CJI. It therefore modified the chairman’s order and permitted all 2026 NALSAR graduates to enrol with State Bar Councils of their choice.

The BCI had nevertheless kept the broader inquiry alive. It had said some reliable sources had reported that a “handful of teachers and outsiders” were instrumental in instigating the students. The Council said it would await the inquiry report of the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor before taking any further action. The fresh order also carried a clear message that “no student shall be made to suffer without any fault on his part".

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