Hyderabad, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A section of the outgoing 2026 batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, has expressed opposition to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being invited as chief guest for their convocation, citing his recent remarks during proceedings related to alleged police action against students protesting in New Delhi.
The development assumes significance as having the Chief Justice of India at the convocation has been a tradition at NALSAR in recent years. However, the university is yet to announce the date of this year’s convocation or officially confirm who will be invited as the chief guest.
Students of the outgoing batch have communicated their concerns to the university administration, asking it to reconsider inviting CJI Surya Kant for the ceremony.
The opposition comes against the backdrop of the recent student agitation over NEET and examination-related issues in the national capital.
Students at NALSAR had earlier expressed solidarity with the protesters and educationist Sonam Wangchuk, who had undertaken a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar. On July 20, some students at the university observed a one-meal fast in solidarity with the agitation.
The issue intensified after a matter concerning alleged police excesses against protesting students was mentioned before a Supreme Court Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant on July 22.
A lawyer seeking urgent listing of the matter told the Bench that he had videos purportedly showing police action against the students and sought the court’s intervention.
The CJI-led Bench declined the request for urgent listing. When the lawyer referred to the videos purportedly showing police action against the students, CJI Surya Kant said the court was not interested in watching the videos and did not have time to do so. As the lawyer persisted, the Chief Justice asked him not to waste the court’s time.
The remarks subsequently triggered criticism among sections of the protesting students and others supporting their agitation.
Against this backdrop, members of NALSAR’s outgoing 2026 batch wrote to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, faculty members and university administration on July 23, urging them to reconsider having the CJI as chief guest at their convocation.
The students argued that the CJI’s remarks during the proceedings concerning the Delhi protests were inconsistent with the principles and values they had been taught during their legal education.
The students’ position does not, however, amount to opposition to an already announced invitation.
NALSAR has neither announced the convocation date nor confirmed CJI Surya Kant as its chief guest so far. The students have raised their objection in anticipation of an invitation, given the university’s practice of having the Chief Justice of India deliver the convocation address.
The development adds another dimension to the controversy surrounding the student protests and the response to allegations of police action against demonstrators.
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