Hyderabad: More than 450 graduating students of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law have urged the university administration to reconsider a reported proposal to invite Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice Surya Kant as the chief guest for its 2026 convocation.
The students submitted a representation to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, faculty members and other university authorities, expressing concerns over the CJI’s reported conduct during recent judicial proceedings involving protests in Delhi.
Students Question Proposed Invitation
The students clarified that their objection was not directed at the office of the Chief Justice of India itself. Instead, they said they were concerned about whether recent remarks and judicial proceedings involving Justice Surya Kant were consistent with the constitutional values they believe a law university should uphold.
NALSAR has not yet formally finalised the convocation date or publicly confirmed the CJI as the chief guest, according to reports. The students have therefore asked the administration to consider their concerns before making a final decision.
Jantar Mantar Protest Hearing Cited
A major point raised in the students’ representation relates to a Supreme Court hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters during a Parliament march at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20.
According to the students, video footage allegedly showing police excesses was referred to during the proceedings. They cited reports that Justice Surya Kant responded that the court was not interested in watching the videos because it did not have time.
The students also referred to allegations that submissions by the petitioner’s lawyer were cut short during the proceedings. They cited reports that more than 70 protesters, including women and children, were injured during the alleged police action.
‘Cockroach’ Remark Also Mentioned
The students also raised concerns over an earlier remark attributed to Justice Surya Kant involving young people and the controversy surrounding the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The movement had emerged around protests concerning issues including the NEET examination and the functioning of the National Testing Agency. The students argued that the reported remark and the handling of the Jantar Mantar matter contributed to their concerns about the proposed invitation.
Justice Surya Kant had reportedly clarified that his reference to “cockroaches” was directed at people whom he described as having fake or bogus degrees, rather than young people generally.
‘Does Not Sit Right With Us’
In their representation, the students said receiving their law degrees from a dignitary whose recent reported conduct appeared dismissive of allegations concerning police action against protesters would conflict with the values they have been taught at NALSAR.
They emphasised that a convocation is not merely a ceremonial event but also represents the principles and ideals associated with legal education, including constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances.
The students have consequently asked the university to reconsider the proposed invitation and consult the graduating batch before taking a final decision.
Debate Over Judicial Accountability
The controversy has opened a wider discussion about how law universities should approach the selection of chief guests for major academic ceremonies.
For the students, the issue centres on whether the conduct and public remarks of a proposed chief guest reflect the constitutional principles they associate with their legal education. For the administration, the question is likely to involve balancing institutional traditions with the concerns raised by students.
The university’s final decision on the proposed chief guest is awaited.
For now, the representation from more than 450 students has placed the issue firmly in the public spotlight, turning what would ordinarily be a ceremonial invitation into a broader debate over judicial conduct, constitutional values and the expectations of India’s future legal professionals.
