National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru has cancelled its convocation for the graduating batch of 2026..On August 3, the administration had emailed the graduating students stating that the annual convocation would be held on September 12.However, a notice dated August 27 has now announced that no convocation would be held due to "unavoidable circumstances" and that students would be conferred their degrees in absentia. "Despite our collective best efforts, due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to hold the 34th Annual Convocation. All graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia after due approvals by the Governing Bodies," the notice said.Students may elect to receive their certificates by courier or collect them at campus, it added. The University will share a new form and the process with all graduating students to choose their preferred option..The decision comes close on the heels of opposition by students and alumni to Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant attending the convocation.Over 700 students and alumni of NLSIU had objected to Mishra and CJI attending NLSIU's own convocation. They had also demanded an unconditional apology from the BCI to National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law's student and faculty community.Sources reveal that CJI Surya Kant had engaged in a 90-minute long dialogue with NLSIU students to understand their issues..The statement, signed by 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni, came after the BCI's August 13 decisions to halt and, within hours, restore enrolment for NALSAR's graduating batch for objecting to CJI Surya Kant's proposed presence at their convocation.Calling the BCI's actions a direct attack on free speech, the statement called the BCI's directive to NALSAR to identify students and faculty behind the campaign "nothing less than a witch-hunt."It added,"A University Convocation is a monumental event in a student’s academic life meant to celebrate years of hard work and perseverance. In a country where access to higher education is severely restricted by barriers of class, caste, and gender and poorly designed and conducted entrance examinations, a Convocation marks an important achievement for families. In this context, inviting persons in high office to confer degrees to students towards whom they have publicly expressed their disdain and condescension is offensive, humiliating, and a mockery of students and their struggles.".BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra issues apology to law students after NALSAR convocation row
