Hyderabad Law Students Oppose Chief Justice's Invitation for Graduation Ceremony
Students Express Concerns Over Chief Justice's Invitation
Hyderabad, August 9 - A group of students from the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research in Hyderabad has formally opposed the invitation to Chief Justice (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud as the chief guest for the upcoming graduation ceremony. In an email sent on July 23, students from the 2026 batch expressed their concerns regarding the CJI's recent actions, particularly the Supreme Court's refusal to expedite a petition related to alleged police brutality during a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
The students articulated their apprehensions about inviting the CJI, citing his comments during the proceedings where he reportedly showed disinterest in reviewing video evidence presented by the petitioner's lawyer regarding the police actions during the protest. They stated, “As law students, our concerns are specific and directly related to our graduating class.”
They emphasized that a graduation ceremony should reflect the university's core values, including a commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice, and rational discourse on grievances. The students expressed discomfort at the prospect of receiving degrees from someone whose recent public conduct appears to disregard serious allegations of police misconduct against protesting citizens.
The peaceful march to Parliament was organized by the Citizens' Action Group (CAG), where demonstrators raised issues such as the conduct of the NEET examination and reforms within the National Testing Agency (NTA). They stated, “We are raising this issue now to ensure our views are considered before any formal decision is made.”
The students have urged the university to “seriously reconsider” the selection of the chief guest for the graduation ceremony and to consult the graduating class before making any final decisions or sending out invitations. One student mentioned that they have yet to receive a response from the university administration regarding their email.