NEET row: Over 450 NALSAR students oppose CJI Surya Kant as convocation chief guest

New Delhi: More than 450 graduating students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad have opposed the reported decision to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university’s 2026 convocation.

In a representation to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, professors and other authorities, the students asked the university to reconsider the invitation. They said their concerns were linked to recent judicial developments and the values they believe should be reflected at a law university’s convocation.

The students specifically referred to a Supreme Court hearing over alleged police action against protesters during a July 20 demonstration in Delhi. During the hearing, the CJI-led bench declined an urgent request to hear the matter. Reports quoted Surya Kant as saying, “We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch.”

Students question reported remarks

The students said the remarks had caused concern among the graduating batch. They also referred to comments attributed to the CJI about protesters and argued that his reported conduct did not sit comfortably with the principles of constitutional rights and access to justice taught at NALSAR.

“We, the undersigned students of [redacted] (2025-2026), share the concerns of the graduating batch regarding inviting the Hon’ble CJI, Justice Surya Kant, as our convocation’s Chief Guest,” the representation said.

The students stressed that their objection was not directed at the office of the Chief Justice itself. Instead, they said they were questioning whether the reported conduct in recent proceedings reflected the values they associate with their legal education.

Students seek reconsideration

The students also pointed out that the convocation date and chief guest had not yet been formally finalised. They urged the university to consult the graduating batch before making a final decision.

NALSAR had not issued an official response to the representation at the time of reporting. The students said they were willing to meet the administration and discuss their concerns.

The development comes days after Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences postponed its 86th convocation, at which Surya Kant had been scheduled to be the chief guest. TISS cited “unforeseen circumstances” and did not officially connect the postponement to protests. Reports, however, said there were concerns about possible demonstrations.

The NALSAR students’ representation has now added another layer to the debate over the CJI’s appearances at university convocations.