On Thursday, the Supreme Court of India raised concerns regarding the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) decision to take action against students from the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad. The students had protested the planned invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university’s upcoming convocation. This inquiry by the Supreme Court highlights the ongoing tensions between legal education institutions and governing bodies in India, particularly in relation to academic freedom and student expression.
A bench led by CJI Surya Kant issued notice to the BCI on a plea filed by NALSAR challenging two circulars issued by the legal regulator. The court agreed to hear the matter after it was mentioned by Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar. The students’ objections were linked to remarks made by the CJI during the hearing of a petition concerning alleged police excesses against student protesters at Jantar Mantar in Delhi last month.
The Supreme Court’s intervention came after the BCI initially directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol any NALSAR student who graduated in 2026 until its inquiry into the protest was completed.
During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant said the BCI had no role in interfering with students who were exercising their right to protest lawfully. The BCI had also said that a law student who showed “no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country” could not be expected to become a responsible advocate, teacher or judge.
The revised order provides immediate relief to the 2026 graduating batch, allowing students to proceed with enrolment while the dispute over the protest and the BCI’s earlier action remains before the Supreme Court.
