NALSAR students cite CJI Surya Kant's inaction over police atrocities, seek reconsideration as convocation chief guest

Students of the graduating batch of National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) at Hyderabad have written to the university seeking reconsideration of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as the chief guest for their convocation.

The representation, addressed to the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Registrar and faculty of the university, was submitted on July 23. With the convocation date not yet finalised and the choice of chief guest still under discussion, the students wanted their views considered before a decision was made.

The primary objection was to the response of a Supreme Court Bench led by the CJI to a plea over police action against protesters at the "Chalo Sansad" march at Jantar Mantar on July 20. 

According to the representation, when a mentioning was made before the CJI by a lawyer for urgent hearing of the issue on July 22, the CJI told the counsel,

"Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time."

The representation states that when counsel offered to show video evidence of the alleged police action, the CJI said,

"We are not interested in videos; we don't have time to watch."

The students also referred to a separate letter petition already before the CJI seeking the Supreme Court's suo motu intervention in the police action of July 20, which cites injuries to over 170 protesters, including women and children, and possible violations of the safeguards laid down in DK Basu v. State of West Bengal.

Emphasising what a convocation is meant to reflect, the students wrote that it should be a moment where the university's values, including "a commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice, and reasoned engagement with grievances," are visible in the choices it makes.

They said it did not sit right to receive their degrees from a dignitary whose recent public conduct appeared dismissive of serious allegations of police brutality against protesting citizens.

The students have asked the university to reconsider the choice of chief guest and to consult the graduating batch before any final decision is communicated or an invitation extended. They said they remain open to discussing the matter further, through a meeting with student representatives or any other channel the university considers appropriate.

The representation was reportedly signed by around 70 students of the outgoing 2026 batch. Two days later, about 380 more students from the 2027 to 2031 batches extended their support. NALSAR has not announced a convocation date or confirmed the CJI's participation.