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Premier law institute NLSIU cancels convocation amid row over CJI Surya Kant's proposed presence, CJP reacts
The NLSIU on August 3 had sent an email, informing students that the ceremony was to take place on September 12.
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Following a controversy over the enrolment of the 2026 graduating batch after students objected to CJI Surya Kant’s proposed presence at their convocation, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has cancelled the convocation ceremony for the 2026 graduating batch.
The university on August 3 had sent an email, informing students that the ceremony was to take place on September 12. However, a notice dated August 27 has now announced that no convocation would be held due to "unavoidable circumstances.”
“Despite our collective best efforts, due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to hold the 34th Annual Convocation,” the notice read.
The university said all graduating students would be conferred their degrees in absentia, subject to approval from its Governing Bodies.
“All graduating students will be conferred their degrees in absentia after due approvals by the Governing Bodies. Students may elect to receive their Certificates by courier or collect them at Campus. The University will share a new form and the process with all graduating students to choose their preferred option later today.”
The announcement also prompted a response from the Cockroach Janta Party.
CJP reacts
Cockroach Janta Party co-convenor Saurav Das reacted to the notice, saying he hoped the graduating batch would organise its own ceremony and invite a special guest to felicitate the students.
“I hope the NLSIU graduating batch organises its own graduation ceremony and invites the most honourable guest to felicitate them. Do it the Gen-Z way!” he said.
NLSIU-CJI row
The students had earlier objected to Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra and Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant attending NLSIU's own convocation.
They also demanded an unconditional apology from BCI to the student and faculty community of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law, Hyderabad.
The demand for apology came after BCI, first issued, then withdrew its order freezing the enrolment of the entire 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. It had directed all state bar councils not to enrol any student from the batch pending an inquiry into a campaign opposing Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s participation in the university’s convocation.
BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra had said that the Council had “thoroughly discussed and deliberated” on his earlier letter and modified the direction imposing the enrolment ban.
The Council, he said, was of the unanimous view that, according to the “latest report”, the vast majority of NALSAR’s 2026 graduating students were innocent and had not intended to participate in any move to show disrespect.
“Accordingly, the Council modifies the order of chairman with regard to the ban on the enrolment of the NALSAR students with the State Bar Councils. All the students will be entitled to get enrolled with the state bar councils of their choice,” the amended order said.
Why did students oppose CJI's presence at convocation
BCI's letter barring enrolment of the 2026 batch, came after students opposed the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest at the university’s convocation.
The university had confirmed that Justice Kant had been invited as chief guest, although the convocation dates had not yet been finalised and it was awaiting a response to the invitation.
