Indian law students protest invitation of Chief Justice Surya Kant

Law students at premier Indian legal institutions are protesting against the invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to their graduation ceremonies. The controversy began at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) in Hyderabad, where approximately 450 students opposed the Chief Justice's presence following reports of his remarks regarding protesters and his refusal to hold urgent hearings on police brutality.

In response to the NALSAR protests, the Bar Council of India (BCI), led by Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, issued a directive to state Bar Councils to withhold the enrollment of NALSAR graduates. This move was widely condemned as authoritarian and was eventually withdrawn after significant pushback.

The protest has now expanded to the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bangalore. Hundreds of current students, alumni, and graduating seniors at NLSIU have signed an open letter opposing the invitation of both Chief Justice Kant and BCI Chairman Mishra to their upcoming convocation. The students expressed solidarity with NALSAR and criticized the BCI's attempt to penalize students for exercising their democratic right to dissent.