NALSAR students demand apology from BCI chairman over withdrawn enrolment directives

NALSAR University of Law students have demanded an apology from BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra over withdrawn letters directing State Bar Councils against enrolling 2026 graduates. They also objected to allegations of groupism, dirty politics and faculty involvement.

Hyderabad: NALSAR University of Law students on Saturday slammed Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra for his directive letters, which are now withdrawn, on not to enrol the university students in the State Bar Councils besides seeking a report from the Vice Chancellor over a row on inviting Chief Justice of India as the chief guest for convocation. They demanded an apology.

In a statement, NALSAR Student Bar Council lambasted the BCI Chairman for using ‘high objectionable’ language – ‘groupism” and ‘dirty politics’ within the University and the role of faculty in ‘misleading, misguiding and instigating students’ – in letters addressed to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Srikrishna Deva Rao .

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Terming those allegations unprofessional, unfounded, and without any substance, students said making such claims against members of the University family for mere peaceful expression of legitimate dissent is uncalled for and reeks of malice.

“The modified letter stated the role of teachers and outsiders in instigating innocent students. By searching for the faculty member, alumnus, research scholar, or “outsider” who supposedly orchestrated the campaign, the letter denies students ownership of their own political views. It reflects the classic ‘anti-national’ narrative, in which dissent is not engaged with on its merits but is explained away as the work of external actors manipulating impressionable students in a patronising fashion,” said students.

The issue began as some students sent an email to the Vice Chancellor expressing concern arises from the refusal of the Supreme Court Bench led by the CJI to allow urgent listing of a plea concerning the alleged brutal police action against protesters during the peaceful ‘Chalo Sansad’ demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20.

Stating that the BCI Chairperson post is the epitome of a statutory regulatory body, students said the current chairperson’s actions are ‘unbecoming’ of his post and the constitutional directives that he is expected to uphold.

“Even the communication on X from the BCI Chairperson did not withdraw the allegations made. We demand an apology from the BCI Chairperson for making such objectionable comments,” they added.

Further, referring to the Advocates Act of 1961, students said directing the State Bar Councils to restrict the enrolment of students from the NALSAR batch of 2026 does not align with the BCI’s statutory functions.