NALSAR students oppose CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest

Approximately 450 students from the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad have formally requested the university administration to reconsider inviting Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as the chief guest for the 2026 convocation.

The students' opposition is rooted in the CJI's recent conduct during Supreme Court proceedings regarding a July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar. The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party, addressed issues including the NEET examination and the National Testing Agency.

In a representation to the university's leadership, students cited reports that the CJI declined to review video evidence of alleged police brutality against protesters, reportedly stating, "We are not interested in videos. We don't have time to watch." They also expressed concern over remarks attributed to the CJI comparing Indian youth to "cockroaches" and a perceived dismissal of the need for urgent hearings.

The Batch of 2026 argued that hosting the CJI would be inconsistent with NALSAR's values of constitutional rights, access to justice, and reasoned engagement with grievances. They requested that the administration consult the graduating batch before finalizing any official invitations.