Indus Valley Times

HYDERABAD,AUG 9 : A section of outgoing students at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University, Hyderabad, has opposed the invitation extended to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant to preside over the university’s 2026 convocation ceremony. More than 450 students from the Batch of 2026 have signed a representation addressed to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, professors and other university authorities, urging them to reconsider the reported decision to invite the CJI as the chief guest.

In their letter, the students raised concerns over recent judicial developments, particularly Justice Surya Kant’s handling of a recent hearing concerning alleged police action against protesters during the Parliament march demonstration from Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on July 20, 2026.

According to the students’ representation, during the hearing on July 23, the CJI reportedly declined to watch video evidence allegedly showing police excesses, saying, “We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch.” The students also alleged that submissions by the petitioner’s counsel were subsequently cut short.

The representation referred to another petition filed before the CJI seeking an enquiry into the alleged police action, citing reports that more than 70 protesters, including women and children, were injured.

The students also raised concerns over remarks attributed to the Chief Justice regarding the Jantar Mantar protest and his alleged comparison of Indian youth to cockroaches.

“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 letter reads.

“From referring to the youth as ‘cockroaches’ to making insensitive statements about not having time to watch videos of police brutality, the CJI has shown apathy towards students like us. Inviting him to our college to hand us degrees that hold so much academic and emotional importance does not sit right with us,” it further added.

The students further mentioned that while the date of the convocation and the choice of chief guest have not yet been formally finalised, they wanted to place their concerns on record before any decision is taken.

STUDENTS CITE CONSTITUTIONAL VALUE

The students argued that their objection was not about the CJI’s position but about whether his reported conduct in recent proceedings was consistent with the values they believe a university convocation should represent.

“As students of law, our concern is narrow and more specific to us as a graduating batch,” the letter says. It argues that a convocation should reflect NALSAR’s commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances.

The students said receiving their degrees from a dignitary whose recent reported conduct appeared dismissive of allegations of police brutality against protesting citizens would be inconsistent with the values taught at the law university.

The students have argued that inviting the Chief Justice in the present circumstances would be inconsistent with values linked to constitutional accountability and academic freedom. They have, therefore, urged the university administration to reconsider the choice of chief guest and consult the graduating batch before extending any formal invitation.

“We request the University Administration to reconsider its proposal to extend the invitation to the Hon’ble CJI, and hope that the University treat this as a shared concern across the graduating cohorts rather than one raised by a single batch,” the letter concludes.

The signatories have also expressed willingness to engage with the university administration through meetings or other appropriate channels. They have sought an early response from the university, preferably by Monday, describing their representation as a “genuine and respectful expression” of the graduating students’ views.

The students’ representation has sparked discussion within legal and academic circles. NALSAR University has not issued an official response to the students’ objections so far.

TISS POSTPONED ITS CONVOCATION EVENT OVER FEAR OF PROTESTS

Nearly two weeks ago, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, postponed its 86th convocation, which was scheduled to be held on August 2, less than two days before the ceremony.

The last-minute decision came amid concerns over security arrangements, with apprehensions that possible protests could disrupt the event. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant was expected to attend the convocation as the chief guest.

In a communication to students, TISS cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for postponing the ceremony. The institute did not officially link the decision to the proposed visit of the CJI or to any potential protests.

However, officials and students familiar with the developments said there were concerns that protests associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement could affect the event. India Today could not independently verify whether these apprehensions were directly responsible for the postponement.

The decision has left several graduating students disappointed, particularly those who had already made arrangements for the ceremony. Some students said they had booked travel and accommodation for their parents and other relatives who were expected to attend the convocation.

-PTI