NLUD students back NLSIU peers’ right to convocation

The NLSIU convocation was cancelled after graduating students objected to having Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra at the event. File | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar In an extended multi-city chain of support, the Governing Council of the Student Bar Council of National Law University Delhi (NLUD) on Saturday (August 29, 2026) expressed solidarity with the graduating students of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, appealing against the cancellation of their 34th annual convocation.The NLSIU convocation was cancelled after graduating students objected to having Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra at the event. The NLSIU students, in turn, were acting in solidarity with students at NALSAR, Hyderabad who had kicked off the original storm when they opposed the CJI’s presence at their own convocation, in protest against his use of terms like ‘cockroach’ and ‘parasites’ in the court room, as well as his initial response to police action against last month’s student protests. The BCI had suddenly intervened with an aborted attempt to ban NALSAR students from professional enrolment. The NLSIU students had objected to the BCI’s conduct, and sought an unconditional apology from Mr. Mishra.On August 27, the NLSIU had informed graduating students that their degrees would be conferred in absentia after due approvals by governing bodies, and gave them the option of getting their certificates by courier or collecting them on campus.‘Reconsider cancellation’In its statement on Saturday (August 29), the NLUD student body urged the NLSIU administration to reconsider its decision and ensure that graduating students were afforded a fair opportunity to have their convocation conducted without compromising their right of expression.“We recognise the importance of the Chief Justice of India’s association with the convocation, particularly given that the CJI is the ex-officio Chancellor of NLSIU. At the same time, we believe that the concerns and views expressed by the graduating students should not have resulted in the cancellation of the convocation itself,” the NLUD student body said in its statement, a copy of which is with The Hindu.‘Protect freedom of expression’It said a graduating batch must have the freedom to express its collective views on matters concerning its own convocation, including the invitation of guests to the ceremony.“Administrative authority over the conduct of a convocation cannot extend to controlling the substance of students’ collective expression. A convocation marks the culmination of a student’s academic journey and provides an opportunity for the graduating class to come together with their parents, families, faculty, friends, and others who have been part of or supported their journey,” the statement said.Alternative arrangementThe NLUD student body pointed out that another Supreme Court judge had represented the Chancellor in the 33rd annual convocation of NLSIU, providing a precedent for similar action this year.“Where arrangements permit such representation, the cancellation of an entire graduating class’s convocation in circumstances arising from disagreement over a public invitation warrants reconsideration. We therefore urge the University to reconsider the decision and explore an arrangement that respects the position of the Chancellor while also respecting the views of the graduating students,” the statement said. Published - August 29, 2026 07:54 pm IST