Supreme Court Backs NALSAR Students Right to Protest Over BCI Row

The Supreme Court pulled up the Bar Council of India for attempting to stop law graduates from NALSAR University of Law from joining the profession, making it crystal clear that peaceful protest remains a fundamental right. Heading a three-judge bench alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, Chief Justice Surya Kant took sharp exception to the council's interference after several students objected to his invitation as the chief guest for the university convocation.

CJI Kant remarked in open court that this was strictly between the students and the judiciary, stressing that the statutory regulator had no business meddling or trying to punish young minds simply for expressing their reservations.Supreme Court Rebukes Bar Council Over Move to Block NALSAR Graduates   The court stepped in after BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra fired off a controversial letter directing state bar bodies to put the enrolment of the entire 2026 graduating class on hold. 

While mounting public pressure and widespread outrage from senior advocates forced the council to quietly retract that sweeping circular within hours, the apex court still took up the matter on priority. Issuing a formal notice to the regulator, the bench barred state councils from taking any coercive steps against students or faculty.

keeping the matter slated for a detailed hearing in two weeks.The row started when dozens of final-year law students wrote to university administrators questioning the choice of convocation speaker in light of recent courtroom remarks on campus protests. 

Senior advocates and student bodies across the country welcomed the top court's firm stance, calling the council's initial clampdown a blatant abuse of power under the Advocates Act. By stepping in to protect the graduating batch, the judges sent a clear message that campus dissent cannot be branded as misconduct or used as an excuse to shut the door on future legal careers.