- Bar Council of India (BCI) issued an order on Thursday, asking state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 batch until further directions.
- CJI Surya Kant, in an oral mention on Friday, upheld the students' right to protest and protected NALSAR students and faculty from punitive action.
- CJI Surya Kant praised the younger generation's resilience in his Independence Day address on Saturday, stating that the Bar and Bench walk with them.
- BCI chief Manan Kumar Mishra apologised, stating that 'independence of thought' must be respected after the controversy.
- A section of NALSAR's graduating class of 2026 had objected to the university's proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for its convocation.
- CJI Surya Kant had previously faced criticism for his remarks during a request for urgent listing of a petition, which led to the students' objections.
- The BCI's actions had invited public ire and condemnation from the Supreme Court itself.
- CJI Surya Kant had stated that the students' objection to his coming to their convocation ceremony was part of a 'dialogue' and that the BCI had no business intervening.
Bar Council of India Chief Manan Kumar Mishra faced backlash after issuing an order that barred NALSAR's 2026 batch from enrolling as advocates, which drew criticism from Chief Justice Surya Kant. The CJI rebuked the BCI's decision, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and the students' right to protest.1
Mishra's controversial order, which he later apologized for, stated that a law student lacking respect for the judiciary is unfit to practice law. The BCI's actions sparked public outrage and condemnation from the Supreme Court, with the CJI asserting that the students' objections were part of a necessary dialogue.7
“The responsibility that this Bar has carried since the days of the freedom struggle will, before long, rest on your shoulders,” Chief Justice Kant told the young graduates, highlighting their role in the future of justice.
In his Independence Day address, the CJI praised the younger generation for their “remarkable resilience” and adaptability in a rapidly changing legal landscape. He encouraged them to engage in legal aid work and assured them that the “Bar and Bench remain committed to your growth.”
The BCI's decision to bar the 2026 batch was seen as an overreach, with the CJI protecting the students from punitive actions and urging them to pursue their legal careers with integrity and commitment to justice.
“The apology follows CJI Surya Kant's oral mention on Friday, where he upheld students' right to protest and protected NALSAR students from punitive action. In his Independence Day address, Kant praised the younger generation's 'remarkable resilience' and urged them to enrol with the Supreme Court Bar.”
