CJI Surya Kant To Preside Over NLSIU Convocation As Chancellor On October 17
NLSIU students had earlier opposed the CJI being the Chief Guest of the ceremony.
The confirmation on CJI's attendance comes after uncertainty over his participation following protests by a section of NLSIU students and alumni earlier this year.
National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has officially confirmed that Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will attend its convocation ceremony for the outgoing batch on October 17 and preside over the convocation in his capacity as the Chancellor of NLSIU.
Actor Arundhati Nag will be the Chief Guest at the ceremony and will deliver the Convocation Address. An official communication from the University stated that the CJI will preside over the ceremony.
The decision assumes significance as hundreds of NLSIU students and alumni had in August opposed CJI Kant attending their convocation in support of their counterparts from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad over the CJI's comments on the NEET Paper Leak protests.
NLSIU students had also opposed Bar Council of India chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending their convocation. The CJI is the university’s chancellor and Bar Council chairman is chairman of the general council. It is a norm that CJI attends NLSIU convocation every year.
In a statement signed by 165 graduating students, they had maintained, “Inviting persons in high office to confer degrees on students towards whom they had publicly expressed disdain and condescension is offensive, humiliating and a mockery of students and their struggles.”
The students and alumni condemned the now-withdrawn BCI order to halt the enrolment of students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and expressed their solidarity with the students at NALSAR, who they said have shown exemplary courage and moral conviction in speaking truth to power.
"We are aware that the BCI has closed all proceedings against NALSAR. However, the fact that such unconstitutional and illegal "proceedings" can be initiated by a statutory body against students and faculty members of a public university in the first place does not alter the nature or the larger impact of such actions or dilute the responsibility of the Chairman and the BCI," the statement signed by 165 graduating students of the Class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni.
Later, the University, on August 27, had announced the cancellation of the convocation, citing "unavoidable circumstances."
More than 450 students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, had earlier urged the university administration to reconsider the reported proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for its upcoming convocation, citing concerns over his recent conduct and remarks during proceedings concerning alleged police excesses against protesters in Delhi.
Students from the outgoing 2026 LLB and LLM batches, along with those from several junior batches, have submitted representations to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and faculty members, asking the university not to invite the CJI for the ceremony.
The students' principal objection relates to the Supreme Court proceedings concerning alleged police action against protesters during the July 20 demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
According to the representations, the students were particularly concerned by remarks attributed to CJI Surya Kant during the proceedings, including his reported response when counsel sought to place video material of the alleged police excesses before the Court.