Campus Times | Lucknow 

Around 450 students of the NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, have urged the university administration to reconsider inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for its upcoming convocation.

The students, drawn from multiple batches including the graduating LLB and LLM classes, have submitted representations to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and faculty members, raising concerns over recent remarks attributed to the CJI during a Supreme Court hearing on alleged police excesses against student protesters in Delhi.

The university, which has around 1,400 students, has not yet formally announced the date of the convocation or confirmed its chief guest. However, the sitting CJI has traditionally delivered the convocation address at NALSAR.

Students question choice of dignitary

The first representation was submitted on July 23 by 70 students from the outgoing LLB batch. Over the following days, students from the 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031 batches also submitted separate letters expressing support for the demand. Together, these representations have been backed by around 450 students.

The students objections stem from a July 22 Supreme Court hearing concerning allegations of excessive police action during a crackdown on student protesters in Delhi on July 20.

During the hearing, when a lawyer referred to video evidence allegedly showing police brutality, the CJI reportedly declined to examine the footage and remarked that the courts time should not be wasted.

In their representations, the students said the response was difficult to reconcile with the constitutional values they associate with legal education at NALSAR, including the protection of fundamental rights, access to justice and meaningful consideration of grievances.

They argued that a convocation is not merely a ceremonial occasion but also an opportunity for the university to reflect the principles it seeks to impart to its students. Against this backdrop, they asked the administration to reconsider its choice of chief guest.

Multiple batches join protest

The opposition has since spread beyond the graduating class. Students from several junior batches have independently written to the administration, stating that the issue goes beyond the immediate concerns of the outgoing students.

The 2029 batch, in its communication, said the concerns raised by the graduating students relate to the broader constitutional ethos that NALSAR seeks to uphold.

The 2028 batch described its position as one of vehement opposition to the CJIs proposed presence at the ceremony.

Students from the 2030 batch also referred to the reported remark about not having time to watch videos of the alleged police action. Their letter further cited an earlier reported remark attributed to the CJI referring to youth as parasites and cockroaches attacking the system, arguing that such comments, in their view, do not reflect the constitutional values expected from the countrys highest judicial office.

Convocation plans remain uncertain

Amid the growing opposition, the universitys plans for the convocation remain unclear. A faculty member, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was a possibility that the ceremony could even be scrapped this year.

The university has not publicly confirmed whether CJI Surya Kant will attend the convocation or whether any change will be made to the proposed arrangement.

The development comes as the student representations have turned the selection of the chief guest into a wider debate on constitutional values, judicial accountability and the role of legal institutions in responding to allegations involving civil liberties.