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BCI Chairperson apologizes to law students following NALSAR enrollment dispute
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has issued a formal apology to law students following a controversy involving NALSAR University of Law. The dispute began after NALSAR students protested the invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as a chief guest for their convocation. In response, the BCI issued a directive on August 13 to state bar councils to withhold the enrollment of NALSAR's 2026 graduating batch as advocates.
Following widespread condemnation and a rebuke from Chief Justice Surya Kant, who described the BCI order as ‘absolutely unnecessary’, the BCI withdrew the enrollment ban and closed its inquiry. In an Independence Day letter, Mishra expressed regret if his communications had caused ‘concern and anguish’ among students, stating that an expression of regret is not a matter of prestige but an acknowledgment of student concerns.
The controversy has since spread to the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. Students and alumni at NLSIU have expressed unconditional solidarity with NALSAR, opposing the attendance of both the CJI and the BCI Chairperson at their own upcoming convocation. They have demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to the NALSAR community, arguing that the BCI's initial actions were unconstitutional and threatened the freedom of expression within academic institutions.
Entities
Bar Council of India · Manan Kumar Mishra · NALSAR University of Law · National Law School of India University · Surya Kant
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra apologized to law students for causing concern and anguish. www.news9live.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · assamtribune.com · lawchakra.in · navhindtimes.in
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Chief Justice of India Surya Kant described the BCI order as ‘absolutely unnecessary’ and upheld students' rights to protest. newsable.asianetnews.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The BCI withdrew the enrollment ban proceedings after facing criticism. newsable.asianetnews.com · assamtribune.com · lawchakra.in · www.news9live.com · navhindtimes.in · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The BCI issued an order on August 13 to prevent the enrollment of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduating batch. newsable.asianetnews.com · assamtribune.com · lawchakra.in · www.news9live.com · navhindtimes.in · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Students opposed the invitation of Chief Justice Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university's convocation. www.news9live.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · assamtribune.com · lawchakra.in · navhindtimes.in · +3 more