'Between me and students': CJI Surya Kant slams Bar Council move against protesters
Here's the latest protest news from across India:
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant on Friday came down heavily on the Bar Council of India (BCI) over its intervention in the NALSAR University of Law enrolment row, saying the Council had “no business” interfering with students’ right to protest and making it clear that the court would not allow students to be stopped from raising their voice through lawful and peaceful protests. He restrained the BCI and all state bar councils from pursuing any punitive or criminal action against students and faculty of any national law university or university in connection with the row.
Adding to this, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant shared, "It's a dialogue between the students and me." (PTI) The CJI’s observations came hours after BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra opened up that the Council had decided to close its proceedings against the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR, Hyderabad, after initially freezing their enrolment and then withdrawing the freeze while retaining an inquiry into those allegedly instrumental in the students’ campaign against CJI Kant being invited as chief guest at their convocation.
Meanwhile, The Supreme Court , meanwhile, took on board a petition seeking directions to restrain the BCI from issuing such directives in future and issued notice to the Council. A bench headed by CJI Kant, along with justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, directed the BCI to file its counter-affidavit within two weeks.
Notably, “The BCI is unnecessarily taking action in this matter. If students have a cause or a reason to protest, they have a right to protest. Nobody can stop them, and we will not allow this,” shared the CJI after senior advocate K Parameshwar mentioned the matter before the bench.
As per the latest buzz, Parameshwar submitted that the BCI had “no business” dealing with what was happening inside a university and that its action violated the students’ fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. He shared the BCI’s withdrawal of the first letter freezing enrolment did not wipe out the cause of action against the Council. “It spells a lot about the functioning of the BCI,” Parameshwar shared.
In further updates, The CJI responded: “We are with you. This is absolutely uncalled for. They had no business to interfere. The students have written a letter to me, and it is between me and the students. There is a dialogue between us.”
On top of that, The Chief Justice also drew upon his own experience as a student to underscore the importance of allowing dissent on university campuses. “In my younger days, I was also actively involved in student activities. They have a right to protest. Who can stop them? So long as they are lawfully and peacefully protesting, they have a right to raise their voice,” he shared.
At another point, the CJI shared: “We have to be large-hearted. They should be allowed to speak. Even if they are wrong, they have a right to speak.”
Source: Hindustan Times