CJI Defends Students’ Right to Protest, Urges BCI to Drop NALSAR Ban
What Happened
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant criticised the Bar Council of India’s move to block enrolment of NALSAR’s 2026 law graduates, stating that students have a right to protest and the BCI has no business preventing them from becoming advocates over their participation in campus dissent. He also expressed displeasure over the circular and called for the ban to be revoked.
Key Takeaways
The controversy has reignited debate on the balance between professional regulation and students’ freedom of expression, with the judiciary signalling support for peaceful protest rights.