BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra Apologises To Law Students Over NALSAR Row

Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to law students following a row over the council’s now withdrawn order against NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduating batch.

In an Independence Day message, Mishra said he was sorry if his words or any letter issued during the controversy had hurt students. He said an apology was not about “prestige or ego” and that students’ concerns mattered.

The row began after some NALSAR students opposed the invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to attend the university’s convocation. The BCI then sought a report from the university on students who had organised or supported the campaign. It also directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduates as advocates while the matter was being examined.

The decision was withdrawn within hours after criticism from the legal community. The BCI later said the vast majority of students were innocent and should not face action over the alleged conduct of a few.

The Supreme Court had also sought a response from the BCI and said no punitive action should be taken against NALSAR students or faculty. The BCI told the court that the circular had already been withdrawn.

CJI Surya Kant later criticised the BCI action, saying the matter was between him and the students. He also defended their right to express their views.

The NALSAR Student Bar Council had demanded a public apology from Mishra. More than 400 NALSAR alumni also signed a letter criticising the BCI’s action, saying the circulars raised concerns about free speech and university autonomy.

The controversy has now spread to Bengaluru. Students and alumni of NLSIU have opposed the proposed presence of CJI Surya Kant and Mishra at their convocation and have backed the NALSAR students.

In his latest message, Mishra said peaceful protest and disagreement were part of a democracy. He urged students to consider all facts before deciding whether to attend their convocation.

“No student should be compelled to attend, and no student should feel compelled to abstain,” he said, adding that the matter should be settled through fairness and reconciliation.