BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra issues apology to law students after NALSAR convocation row

Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has issued an apology to law students in a letter issued on Independence Day.

The apology follows criticism from students at National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law at Hyderabad and National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore over BCI's handling of the row surrounding Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant's participation in NALSAR's 2026 convocation.

Though the apology does not name the university or dispute directly, it refers to recent developments which he said had caused concern among students.

"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. There should be no hesitation in saying so. An expression of regret is not a matter of prestige or ego. It is simply an acknowledgment that the feelings and concerns of our students matter," the statement said.

The controversy began after the BCI on August 13 ordered a halt on the enrolment for NALSAR's graduating batch of 2026 for objecting to the participation of CJI Surya Kant as the chief guest for their convocation.

However, the BCI reversed its decision within hours, after criticism from legal fraternity.

NALSAR's Student Bar Council later issued a statement demanding a public apology from Mishra over BCI's handling of the episode. NLSIU's graduating students, current students and alumni also followed with a joint statement making a similar demand. NLSIU students also rejected the presence of the BCI Chairperson and the CJI at their own convocation.

Pursuant to the same, Mishra today proceeded to issue an apology.

He praised the students at National Law Universities (NLUs) as among the country's most informed and discerning young citizens and said that their conduct and choices are noticed across the legal education system and often influence the manner in which students of other Centres of Legal Education (CLEs) view similar issues.

"The young men and women studying there today will tomorrow become Advocates, Senior Advocates, Teachers, Scholars and Judges. Some among them may one day occupy the highest positions in the legal and judicial system. That is why their decisions carry significance beyond a single event or controversy," Mishra said.

He affirmed that peaceful protest and disagreement are part of a constitutional democracy, but said that once further facts or clarifications emerge, every issue should be "reconsidered objectively and with an open mind."

Describing a convocation as a special occasion that cannot easily be recreated, Mishra said that the decision to participate or not ultimately remains with the students themselves.

"No student should be compelled to attend, and no student should feel compelled to abstain. My only appeal is that the decision should be taken independently, after considering the matter in its entirety and according to their own judgment," he said.

He also said the issue should not be allowed to "acquire a political or extraneous colour through outside influence," and called for the dispute to be resolved with fairness and a spirit of reconciliation.

[Read Statement]