Over 400 alumni of National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad have signed an open letter condemning the circulars issued by Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra seeking disciplinary action against students and faculty.
As per the letter, the BCI communications showed a disregard for free speech and the mental health of students. The letter argues that the regulator had no jurisdiction to intervene in a matter internal to the University.
"The letters reflect a lack of empathy for students and their mental health, disregard for the fundamental right to free speech, and a tendency to deal with matters of young students and educated faculty in an arbitrary and high-handed manner. It is apparent that the BCI had no jurisdiction to issue these letters. What is more disturbing is that the language of the first letter reflects a predisposition to dominate students and faculty with coercive threats that restrict speech on university campuses, putting tremendous pressure on the mental health of students," the open letter states.
What is more disturbing is that the language of the first letter reflects a predisposition to dominate students and faculty with coercive threats that restrict speech on university campuses.Further, it states that the BCI's language accused students and faculty of engaging in factional politics and misguiding others. It argued that all the actions listed - drafting the representation, circulating it, organising meetings and coordinating with the press - were protected forms of free speech.
"The letter calls for identifying and reporting persons ‘who were principally instrumental in initiating the campaign or representation, drafting it, circulating it through media, organising meetings connected with it, coordinating or mobilising participation, communicating with the press or media on behalf of the group, administering any official or organised electronic or social-media group used for coordination’. All these actions are protected under free speech. The BCI letters signal as if the students and faculty were hatching a criminal conspiracy. Voicing dissent is not a criminal offense in India," the open letter states.
The alumni hope that the episode would prompt the BCI to reflect on its approach to legal education and students, and to rebuild the trust of students, faculty and the wider legal community.Signatures on the letter are still being collected from alumni across NALSAR's batches from as early as 2003 through to the Class of 2025.
The row began after outgoing NALSAR students urged the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Srikrishna Deva Rao to reconsider inviting CJI Surya Kant as chief guest at their convocation.This was follwed by two BCI circulars.
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