The Student Bar Council of NALSAR University of Law has criticised the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) now-withdrawn decision to restrict the enrolment of the university’s 2026 graduating batch, calling the move “unprofessional” and “unfounded” and demanding an apology from BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.
In a statement issued on Friday, the student body said it acknowledged the withdrawal of the BCI’s letters but maintained that the episode raised concerns on statutory, constitutional and democratic grounds.
The students questioned the BCI’s authority to restrict the enrolment of the graduating batch, citing Section 24A of the Advocates Act, 1961. They argued that the provision lays down specific grounds for disqualification from enrolment and that the action against the students did not fall within the council’s statutory functions.
The Student Bar Council also objected to the BCI seeking details of people allegedly involved in a campaign at the university. It said the request covered students, faculty members, research scholars, alumni, organisers, coordinators and social-media administrators.
According to the students, seeking such information amounted to an intrusive attempt to identify participants and could expose them to potential long-term consequences.
The student body also criticised the language used in the BCI's communication, particularly references to “groupism” and “dirty politics” at NALSAR and allegations that faculty members were “misleading, misguiding and instigating students”.
It said peaceful dissent should not be treated as misconduct and demanded an apology from Mishra for remarks directed at students and faculty members.
What triggered the row?
The controversy began on August 13 when the BCI directed all State Bar Councils not to enrol graduates of NALSAR’s 2026 batch as advocates until further orders.
The move followed a campaign by a section of students who had objected to the reported proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university's forthcoming convocation.
The campaign was linked to concerns over remarks attributed to the Chief Justice during a Supreme Court hearing involving alleged police action against protesters at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.
The BCI had also asked the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor to submit a report identifying those allegedly involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign.
Following criticism, the BCI withdrew its earlier restriction and clarified that NALSAR’s 2026 graduates would be allowed to enrol as advocates.
The council later also dropped proceedings against the graduating batch, bringing relief to the students while leaving the dispute over the BCI's initial action and the remarks made during the episode unresolved.
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