Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to law students amid the controversy involving NALSAR University of Law’s 2026 graduating batch.
In an Independence Day message, Mishra said he sincerely regretted any words or communication that may have hurt students’ feelings. He stressed that students must remain free to express their views and that peaceful disagreement and protest are part of a constitutional democracy.
Mishra also said students should be allowed to decide independently whether to attend or skip NALSAR’s convocation, where Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had been invited as chief guest. He urged institutions and students to resolve differences through dialogue and mutual respect.
The controversy began after the BCI directed State Bar Councils not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduating batch following student protests. The decision drew strong criticism and was later withdrawn.
The Supreme Court had also criticised the BCI’s action as unnecessary and affirmed students’ right to protest. The court directed that no punitive action be taken against NALSAR students or faculty over the issue.
Mishra said law students are the future of the Bar, Bench and legal academia, and their independence and dignity must be respected.