NLSIU V-C denies asking students to form delegation over convocation row
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Vice-Chancellor Sudhir Krishnaswamy has denied that he sought a meeting with students to discuss the upcoming convocation, even as graduating students maintain he asked them to send a delegation. The disagreement has deepened a standoff over the choice of chief guest for the ceremony.
On August 15, hundreds of graduating students, alumni, and current students of the Bengaluru-based institution signed an open letter opposing the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to attend the convocation. The letter did not specify reasons publicly, but the move comes amid a long-running tussle between the university and the BCI over the structure of the law programme.
On Monday, graduating students said the Vice-Chancellor had asked them to form a delegation to meet him. They said the request was communicated after the open letter was made public. However, in a statement on Tuesday, Mr. Krishnaswamy said there was no request from his side. “I have not sought any meeting with the students, nor have I requested any delegation to call on me,” he said, according to the statement.
The Hindu reached out to Mr. Krishnaswamy for comments over calls and text messages on Monday, but there was no response. The university has not issued an official statement beyond the Vice-Chancellor’s denial.
The convocation, scheduled to be held later this year, has become a flashpoint between the students and the administration. The open letter had urged the university to reconsider the choice of guests, arguing that their presence would be inappropriate. While the letter has not been made public in full, several signatories told The Hindu that the opposition stems from the BCI’s attempts to interfere with NLSIU’s academic autonomy.
The BCI, headed by Manan Kumar Mishra, has been in dispute with NLSIU over its five-year integrated law course, which the council claims does not conform to its mandated curriculum. The university has defended its revised programme, saying it meets the requirements of legal education in the 21st century. The disagreement has escalated in recent months, with the BCI threatening derecognition of the degree.
The Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, is also slated to preside over the convocation, a customary role for the head of the judiciary at leading law universities. Neither the CJI nor the BCI chairman has commented on the controversy.
The standoff has led to a call among students for a silent protest during the convocation, although no formal announcement has been made. The university administration has urged students to focus on their academic achievements and avoid disruptions.
Legal education experts say the public spat between a premier law school and the regulatory body raises questions about the independence of academic institutions. “The BCI’s role is regulatory, but it cannot dictate pedagogy. The students’ concerns should be heard, and the administration must ensure a transparent dialogue,” said a former law professor who did not wish to be named.
The university has not yet announced a revised schedule for the convocation or any change in the chief guest list. Students have said they will continue to press for a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor to express their views directly.
