Bombay Bar Association Calls Manan Kumar Mishra's Apology Belated, Says He Must Resign As BCI Chairman The Bombay Bar Association condemned the actions of the Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, on August 13, 2026, when he issued a directive against NALSAR University students. The association criticized Mishra's subsequent apology on August 15 as insufficient and called for his resignation from the BCI chairmanship. In a letter dated August 18, the association argued that Mishra's apology did not reflect genuine remorse, as he continued to hold his position despite the misconduct. A meeting of the Bombay Bar Association's Standing Committee was held on August 17 and 18, 2026, to review the events from August 13 to 15. The committee described the BCI chairman's August 13 letter as an "abuse" of his authority, noting that it was issued without allowing the NALSAR students an opportunity to respond. The letter, which directed state bar councils to withhold enrollment from the 2026 NALSAR graduates, caused significant harm to their professional prospects. The association emphasized that the BCI chairman's actions were "uncalled for" and violated the principles of due process. While the BCI later reversed its decision and closed proceedings against the students, the Bombay Bar Association praised this move as a "step in the right direction" but stressed that it did not absolve Mishra of responsibility. The association highlighted the importance of the BCI chairman's role as a regulatory body and condemned Mishra's conduct as unbecoming of his position. The students' bar council at NALSAR University also criticized the BCI chairman's letter, accusing him of perpetuating an "anti-national" narrative that dismissed dissent as the work of external actors.#supreme_court #bar_council_of_india #nalsar_university #bombay_bar_association #manan_kumar_mishra
NALSAR Law Students Protest Against Chief Justice's Role in Convocation Amid Dissent Concerns A significant number of students from the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad launched protests against the decision to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest at their convocation ceremony. The demonstrations were organized in solidarity with students who had previously protested against the NEET paper leak incident, which took place at Jantar Mantar under the call of the online pressure group known as Cockroach Janta Party. This group gained prominence after Chief Justice Kant reportedly referred to young citizens of the country as "cockroaches" during a legal case involving fake law degree holders. The NALSAR students also expressed frustration over the CJI’s refusal to address allegations of police misconduct during peaceful protests at Jantar Mantar on July 20. The controversy escalated when the Bar Council of India (BCI) issued a directive on August 13 instructing all State Bar Councils to withhold enrollment of students who graduated from NALSAR University in 2026. However, the order was swiftly withdrawn the same day. In response, Chief Justice Kant criticized the BCI’s directive, stating that the students were engaged in a "dialogue with him." The Supreme Court further intervened by prohibiting the university from imposing any punitive measures against the protesting students. This incident has sparked broader discussions about the extent of dissent allowed in leading law institutions in India and the potential repercussions of challenging judicial authority. The situation has also highlighted the delicate balance between institutional authority and the rights of students to express dissent.#bar_council_of_india #cockroach_janta_party #jantar_mantar #nalsar_university #chief_justice_kant
