NALSAR Students, Alumni Demand Bar Council Apology Over Withdrawn Order

Students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, have demanded an unconditional apology from the Bar Council of India (BCI) for its now-withdrawn directive restricting the enrolment of NALSAR University of Law's 2026 graduates.

The statement, released on Independence Day, was signed by 165 NLSIU graduating students, 409 current students, and 128 alumni. They condemned the BCI's action as unconstitutional and illegal and expressed solidarity with the NALSAR student community. The NALSAR Student Bar Council also condemned the BCI's withdrawn order and sought an apology from BCI Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra over what it described as objectionable remarks about students and faculty, specifically Mishra's statement that a handful of teachers and outsiders were instrumental in instigating innocent students.

The BCI had on Thursday instructed state bar councils not to enrol any graduate from NALSAR's 2026 batch as an advocate, a directive withdrawn within hours following widespread criticism. The NALSAR Student Bar Council argued that the BCI's direction was outside its statutory functions and questioned its directive to the NALSAR Vice-Chancellor to prepare an inquiry report.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant also criticized the BCI's action, stating it was a dialogue between students and me and questioned the BCI's authority to interfere.