admin@bhaskarnewspaper.com
A section of graduating students at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University, Hyderabad, has opposed the proposed invitation to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to preside over the university’s 2026 convocation ceremony. More than 450 students from the Batch of 2026 have signed a representation addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, professors and other university authorities, urging them to reconsider the reported decision to invite the CJI as the chief guest.
In their representation, the students raised concerns over recent judicial developments, particularly Justice Surya Kant’s handling of a recent hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters during a Parliament march demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, 2026.
According to the students’ representation, during the hearing on July 23, the CJI reportedly declined to watch video evidence allegedly showing police excesses, stating that there was not enough time to view the videos. The students also alleged that submissions by the petitioner’s counsel were subsequently cut short.
The representation referred to another petition filed before the CJI seeking an inquiry into the alleged police action, citing claims that more than 70 protesters, including women and children, were injured.
The students also expressed concerns over remarks attributed to the Chief Justice regarding the Jantar Mantar protest and his alleged comparison of Indian youth to cockroaches.
“We, the undersigned students of [redacted] (2025-2026), share the concerns of the graduating batch regarding inviting the Hon’ble CJI, Justice Surya Kant, as our convocation’s Chief Guest,” the letter stated.
The students further argued that remarks attributed to the CJI, along with his reported response to the allegations of police brutality, had raised concerns among students about whether his presence at the convocation would reflect the values they associate with their legal education.
The students noted that the date of the convocation and the selection of the chief guest have not yet been formally finalised. They said they wanted to place their concerns on record before any final decision was taken.
STUDENTS CITE CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES
The students clarified that their objection was not directed at the office of the Chief Justice of India but focused on whether the reported conduct in recent proceedings was consistent with the values they believe a university convocation should represent.
“As students of law, our concern is narrow and more specific to us as a graduating batch,” the representation stated.
The students argued that a convocation should reflect NALSAR’s commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances.
They said receiving their degrees from a dignitary whose recent reported conduct appeared dismissive of allegations concerning police action against protesting citizens would be inconsistent with the values taught at the law university.
The students have therefore urged the university administration to reconsider the proposed choice of chief guest and consult the graduating batch before extending any formal invitation.
“We request the University Administration to reconsider its proposal to extend the invitation to the Hon’ble CJI, and hope that the University treat this as a shared concern across the graduating cohorts rather than one raised by a single batch,” the representation concluded.
The signatories have also expressed their willingness to engage with the university administration through meetings or other appropriate channels. They have sought an early response from the university, preferably by Monday, describing their representation as a genuine and respectful expression of the graduating students’ views.
The students’ representation has prompted discussion within legal and academic circles. NALSAR University had not issued an official response to the objections at the time of the representation.
TISS POSTPONES CONVOCATION AMID PROTEST CONCERNS
Nearly two weeks earlier, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, postponed its 86th convocation, which had been scheduled for August 2, less than two days before the ceremony.
The decision came amid concerns over security arrangements and apprehensions that possible protests could disrupt the event. CJI Surya Kant was expected to attend the convocation as the chief guest.
In a communication to students, the institute cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for postponing the ceremony. The institute did not officially link the postponement to the proposed visit of the CJI or to any potential protests.
However, concerns were reportedly raised that protests associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement could affect the event. The exact reasons behind the postponement were not independently established.
The decision left several graduating students disappointed, particularly those who had already made travel and accommodation arrangements for the ceremony. Some students had reportedly made arrangements for their parents and other relatives to attend the convocation.
