Indian Chief Justice judicial and student engagement

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has engaged in several public dialogues regarding judicial principles and student rights. During a visit to Chanakya National Law University, the Chief Justice affirmed that the judiciary ‘will not look the other way’ regarding alleged brutal repression by law enforcement during peaceful student protests. He also addressed student concerns regarding the transparency of the judicial collegium, noting that limits on disclosure exist to protect personal dignity. In subsequent remarks, the Chief Justice emphasized the importance of judicial compassion, defining it as the discipline of recognizing the ‘full human context behind every case’ and advocating for more accessible legal language.

Following a previous cancellation due to opposition from students and alumni, the Chief Justice presided over the 34th Annual Convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru. Speaking as Chancellor, Kant addressed the recent controversies surrounding his presence at academic ceremonies, noting that external forces had created uncertainty. He praised students for rising above ‘obstructive whispers’ and choosing open dialogue over ‘cowardly suppression.’

Addressing the graduates, he emphasized that the legal profession is ‘not for the faint of heart’ and requires both intellectual agility and ethical responsibility. Kant urged students to cultivate intellectual independence, advising them to ‘hear before judging’ and to ‘disagree without denying another person’s dignity.’

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar also attended the ceremony. In addition to pledging state support for the expansion of the NLSIU campus, he urged graduates to protect democratic institutions and announced that the state would establish a separate institution to train law graduates for judicial service examinations and support a Start-up Law Clinic at NLSIU.