Bar Council Chief Apologises Over Order Barring NALSAR Students
Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to law students, days after his order barring the 2026 batch of NALSAR University of Law from enrolling as advocates triggered widespread criticism and was withdrawn. In a letter issued on Saturday, Mishra said the concerns of students must be heard with patience, sensitivity and respect.
The controversy began when a section of NALSAR's graduating class of 2026 objected to the university's proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for its convocation. The students cited Justice Kant's remarks during a request for urgent listing of a petition alleging police brutality at protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Justice Kant was quoted as saying "Don't waste our time," though he later clarified that he had not declined to hear the plea but had asked for it to be filed properly.
On Thursday, the BCI, led by Mishra, who is also a Bharatiya Janata Party Rajya Sabha MP, issued an order directing all state bar councils not to enrol students from the 2026 batch until further directions. The order stated: "A student of law, having no regard or respect for the highest judicial office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible advocate, teacher or a judge."
The decision drew sharp condemnation from legal circles. Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh termed the order arbitrary, illegal and disproportionate. The Cockroach Janata Party also demanded its immediate withdrawal. Following the backlash, Mishra initially posted on X that the "vast majority" of students were innocent and should not suffer for the alleged misconduct of a few, adding that action would be taken after an inquiry. Later that night, he withdrew the order entirely.
On Friday, Chief Justice Surya Kant pulled up the BCI, saying the matter was between him and the students. "Absolutely uncalled for. I myself was a student who was actively engaged in protests. It's a dialogue between me and the students. Who are they (Bar Council) to interfere?" he asked.
In his three-page letter on Saturday, Mishra expressed regret for any hurt caused. "Whenever students feel hurt or aggrieved, their concerns deserve to be heard with patience, sensitivity and respect. If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same," he wrote.
Mishra stressed that peaceful disagreement and protest are important features of a constitutional democracy. "Students must always remain free to express their views. At the same time, the legal tradition teaches us something equally important, namely that when further facts or clarifications emerge, every issue should be reconsidered objectively and with an open mind," he noted.
He added that law students study the Constitution and do not need anyone to decide for them. "The Bar Council of India regards law students as the future of the legal profession. Their dignity, independence of thought and legitimate concerns must always be respected," the letter concluded.
