Bar Council Takes U-Turn Over Ban on 2026 Nalsar Students
Earlier in the day, the BCI chairman directed all state Bar Councils not to enrol students who obtained their law degree from Nalsar in 2026 until further orders.
New Delhi:The Bar Council of India on Thursday withdrew a temporary freeze on the enrolment of Nalsar University of Law’s 2026 graduates, which was imposed hours earlier for opposing the institute’s decision to invite Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant’s proposed presence at the convocation.
Earlier in the day, the BCI chairman directed all state Bar Councils not to enrol students who obtained their law degree from Nalsar in 2026 until further orders. He also sought an authenticated factual report from the university by August 19 identifying those principally involved in initiating, organising, coordinating or mobilising the campaign opposing the CJI's participation in the convocation.
"Till further orders, no student of Nalsar University of Law, who has obtained the Law Degree in the year 2026, shall be enrolled by any State Bar Council as an Advocate," the BCI chairman said in a communication to the Nalsar vice-chancellor and all state Bar Councils.
However, after a wave of criticism, the Bar Council hurriedly withdrew its order. “After a thorough discussion, the members are of the unanimous view that as per the latest report, the vast majority of students of Nalsar (2026 pass-out students) are innocent and they were not inclined to take up in the move of disrespect.”
Last week, a section of law students passing out from Nalsar had reportedly opposed inviting the CJI for the convocation. Responding to the move on Thursday morning, the Bar Council asked the university to provide it with copies of any representation, petition, memorandum or other communication concerning the proposed participation or invitation of the CJI, along with the complete list of signatories available in its official records.
The BCI has also asked Nalsar to identify those who initiated or drafted the campaign, circulated it through the media, organised meetings, coordinated or mobilised participation, communicated with the press, administered any official or organised social-media group, or proposed or mobilised a call for boycott, obstruction, disruption or organised non-participation in the convocation or any related programme. It has also sought details of any involvement by student organisations, faculty members, research scholars, alumni or outsiders.
The BCI has clarified that it has not, at this stage, declared any person disqualified from enrolment merely because of participation in the representation or campaign. However, allowing the enrolment of students, while an enquiry is pending, may frustrate the process. Hence, the BCI has ordered an interim freeze on enrolment of the entire NALSAR 2026 batch.
"A student of Law, having no regard or respect for the highest Judicial Office of the country, is not expected to be a responsible or sensible Advocate, Teacher or a Judge. Such persons shall always be a liability on the profession. Such conduct, reflects adversely upon the person's suitability for entry into or association with the legal profession and is inconsistent with the dignity, discipline and ethical standards of the legal profession. Our experience is that such people are always indulged in strikes and boycotts and tarnish the image of the Legal Profession," the communication said.