Enrollment of NALSAR 2026 graduates as lawyers suspended by BCI due to protests against Chief Justice of India.

New Delhi: The Bar Council of India has recently issued a directive to all state bar councils regarding the enrollment of students from NALSAR Law University, Hyderabad. According to the letter addressed by Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, no student who graduates from NALSAR in 2026 will be allowed to be enrolled by any state bar council until further notice. This decision comes as a result of an ongoing inquiry into a protest by some students against the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to attend the next convocation.

In his letter, Mishra expressed his concern over the behavior of these students towards the highest judicial office in the country. He stated that such individuals, who do not show respect for the judiciary, cannot be expected to fulfill their responsibilities as advocates, teachers, or judges. He further added that their actions would only bring shame to the legal profession.

The Bar Council of India has also requested a factual report from NALSAR University regarding the individuals involved in organizing and promoting the campaign against the CJI's participation in the convocation, the date of which is yet to be finalized. The council has asked the university to clarify if any permission was sought or granted for the protest and if any university rules were violated. Mishra emphasized the importance of critical thinking and analysis in legal education, but also stressed the need for students to understand the difference between constructive criticism and misconduct.

The decision to identify and investigate the students behind the protest was justified by the BCI, as such behavior goes against the ethical standards of the legal profession and can harm its reputation. The BCI has requested the university to provide the names and designations of the students involved in initiating, coordinating, or circulating the campaign, as well as any faculty members, research scholars, or alumni who may have played a role in the protest. This information will aid in the council's inquiry and help determine the extent of involvement of these individuals.

The protest in question had over 400 students, including past graduates, opposing the invitation extended to the CJI, citing his remarks during a recent hearing on a petition regarding police actions against student protesters in Delhi. Orissa POST, the leading English daily in Odisha, reported on this issue.