BCI chairman apologises to NALSAR University students amid CJI convocation row

Amid the rift between the Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and the NALSAR University students over the campaign against the invitation to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to attend the convocation, the BCI chairman has issued an apology to law students today, the Bar and Bench reported.

The apology comes after students at National Academy of Legal Studies and Research ( NALSAR ) University of Law at Hyderabad and the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore criticised the BCI chairman's action against NALSAR University 2026 batch students, barring them from enrolment as advocates, as per the report.

“Though the apology does not name the university or dispute directly, it refers to recent developments which he said had caused concern among students,” it read.

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There should be no hesitation in saying sorry: BCI Chairman

"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. There should be no hesitation in saying so. An expression of regret is not a matter of prestige or ego. It is simply an acknowledgment that the feelings and concerns of our students matter,” the report said.

On August 13, the BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra ordered an official order to suspend the enrolment for NALSAR University 2026 batch for initiating a campaign against CJI Kant’s invitation as chief guest for the convocation, it added.

Just hours after the suspension order, the council reversed its decision after facing criticism from its members. Moreover, the NALSAR’s Student Bar Council also issued a statement, demanding an apology from the BCI chairman over his decision.

Furthermore, NLSIU graduating batch, current students and alumni also carried out a joint statement demanding apology from Mishra, the report said.

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NLSIU students oppose BCI chairman as chief guest at convocation

Notably, the NLSIU students had also backed out from the presence of the BCI chairman and the CJI Kant at their convocation.

Praising the students at NLUs as among the country’s most informed and “discerning” young citizens, Mishra said that their conduct and choices are noticed across the legal education system and often influence the manner in which students of other Centres of Legal Education (CLEs) view similar issues, the report read.

"The young men and women studying there today will tomorrow become Advocates, Senior Advocates, Teachers, Scholars and Judges. Some among them may one day occupy the highest positions in the legal and judicial system. That is why their decisions carry significance beyond a single event or controversy," Mishra added in the report.

In addition, he also added and said that the issue should not be allowed to "acquire a political or extraneous colour through outside influence," and called for the dispute to be resolved with fairness and a spirit of reconciliation, the report mentioned.