BCI Chairperson Issues Apology to NALSAR Students Amid Controversy
BCI Chairperson's Apology
File image of BCI chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra. (Photo:X)
New Delhi, Aug 16: Manan Kumar Mishra, the chairperson of the Bar Council of India (BCI), has expressed regret to law students following backlash over a rescinded directive that prohibited the enrollment of current NALSAR graduates as advocates.
In a statement released on Independence Day, Mishra acknowledged the concerns raised by students and conveyed his apologies if his previous comments had caused any distress.
He stated, "If any of my words or communications related to the ongoing issue have hurt our law students, I sincerely apologize for that."
The situation escalated when a group of NALSAR University of Law students petitioned their vice chancellor, registrar, and faculty against inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for the upcoming convocation.
Initially, Mishra issued a circular indicating that the BCI was investigating claims regarding a campaign against the CJI's attendance at the convocation and requested a report to identify those involved.
However, after facing criticism from the legal community, this decision was quickly overturned.
A revised order clarified that the "vast majority" of students should not be penalized for the actions of a few individuals.
Chief Justice Surya Kant later criticized the BCI for its initial stance, emphasizing the importance of dialogue between students and himself.
The NALSAR Student Bar Council subsequently called for a public apology from Mishra. Additionally, graduating students and alumni from NLSIU, Bengaluru, issued a joint statement demanding a similar apology and expressed their disapproval of both the BCI chairperson and the CJI attending their convocation.
Mishra characterized students from National Law Universities as some of the most knowledgeable and discerning young individuals in the nation, noting that their choices hold weight beyond mere events or controversies.
He acknowledged that peaceful protests and disagreements are integral to a constitutional democracy but encouraged students to approach issues with an open mind as more information becomes available.
Mishra emphasized that convocation is a significant event, and the choice to attend or abstain should ultimately lie with the students. He stated, "No student should feel pressured to attend, nor should anyone feel obligated to stay away. My appeal is for students to make their decisions independently, considering the matter thoroughly and based on their own judgment."
He further urged that the matter should not be politicized or influenced by external factors and called for a resolution rooted in fairness and reconciliation.