- The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra's directions to stop enrollment of NALSAR University students over a protest campaign against the Chief Justice of India, noting the directions were later withdrawn.
- CJI Surya Kant stated that students have the right to protest and that the BCI's interference was uncalled for, emphasizing that peaceful protest should be allowed and heard.
- Senior Advocate K Parameshwar orally mentioned a writ petition against the BCI Chairman's directions, arguing that the cause of action survives despite withdrawal and that the event raised questions about the BCI Chairman's functioning.
- The bench accepted the oral mention and passed an interim order that no punitive action shall be taken against NALSAR students or faculty at the instance of the BCI or any Bar Council over the incidents mentioned in the BCI Chairman's letters.
- After the hearing, the CJI welcomed NALSAR students to join the Supreme Court bar, suggesting they get licenses and be empaneled for legal aid cases as a befitting answer to those who impeded their careers.
CJI Surya Kant expressed strong disapproval of the Bar Council of India's (BCI) actions against NALSAR students protesting his participation in a convocation, stating, "BCI is unnecessarily taking action. If the students have a cause to protest, they have the right to protest."1234
The Supreme Court intervened after Senior Advocate K Parameshwar raised concerns about the BCI Chairman's directions, which had been withdrawn but raised questions about the BCI's functioning. Justice Joymalya Bagchi questioned whether the BCI had convened to authorize such a resolution, highlighting procedural issues.
The bench issued an interim order barring any punitive action against the students or faculty, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest. CJI Kant welcomed the students to join the Supreme Court bar, encouraging them to pursue legal aid work as a response to the challenges they faced. “You tell the students, get the license at the earliest. Join the Supreme Court bar,” he stated, reinforcing the value of dialogue and lawful expression in academic environments.891011
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between student activism and institutional authority within legal education in India.
“The Supreme Court's interim order protects NALSAR students and faculty from any punitive action by the BCI or any Bar Council. CJI also invited the students to join the Supreme Court bar and be empaneled for legal aid cases, calling it a 'befitting answer' to those who impeded their careers.”
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