Never accepted convocation invite: CJI Suryakant clarifies days after NALSAR row

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said he never consented to NALSAR University's convocation invitation. His clarification cools a row that drew in students, the Bar Council of India and the Supreme Court.NALSAR University had previously invited CJI Surya Kant for their convocation. (File Upload: ITG)Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has clarified that he never accepted an invitation to attend the convocation ceremony at Hyderabad's NALSAR University, saying there was no question of him attending the event or facing student protests. His remarks come amid a controversy over the university's proposed invitation to him as the chief guest.Speaking informally after addressing vice-chancellors of National Law Universities in Jodhpur, the CJI said he had never agreed to the invitation in the first place."When I never consented to the invitation, the question of attending the convocation does not arise," he said, effectively putting to rest speculation surrounding his participation in the event.450 STUDENTS OBJECTED PREVIOUSLYThe controversy began after more than 450 students of NALSAR University's 2026 graduating batch objected to the proposal to invite the CJI as the chief guest for their convocation ceremony. The students' objections were linked to the CJI's oral observations during the hearing of a case related to the alleged police action against students during the Parliament March protests.The issue escalated further after the Bar Council of India (BCI) stepped in. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra issued an order warning that enrolment of NALSAR's graduating students as advocates could be withheld. The move triggered widespread criticism from legal experts, students and members of the legal fraternity. Within hours, the BCI withdrew its order.MATTER REACHED SUPREME COURTThe matter subsequently reached the Supreme Court, which took a strong view of the BCI's intervention. During the hearing, the court described the BCI's action as unnecessary and questioned why it had intervened in what it described as an issue between the Chief Justice and the students.The Supreme Court also highlighted that students have the right to express dissent and protest. Following the court's observations, the BCI formally withdrew its controversial directive.With CJI Surya Kant now clarifying that he had never accepted the invitation, the controversy surrounding the proposed convocation appearance has effectively come to an end.The episode had sparked a wider debate over students' right to protest, the autonomy of educational institutions and the role of professional regulatory bodies in academic matters.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Aug 17, 2026 22:08 IST