Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to legislation college students following criticism over his instructions handed in opposition to the scholars of NALSAR.
In a letter issued on Independence Day, Mishra expressed remorse if his phrases or any communication issued by him in reference to the controversy had harm the feelings of legislation college students.
“If something related with the current controversy, any of my phrases, or letter, has harm the emotions of our legislation college students, I sincerely remorse and apologise for a similar,” Mishra stated within the letter.
“There must be no hesitation in saying so. An expression of remorse just isn’t a matter of status or ego. It’s merely an acknowledgment that the emotions and issues of our college students matter,” he added. Mishra’s letter didn’t title any college or straight check with the particular dispute.
The letter comes after students at NALSAR and the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, criticised the BCI’s move to stop the enrolment of the whole batch of NALSAR 2026 after a piece of scholars objected to the participation of the CJI within the convocation. Although the BCI Chairman withdrew the motion in opposition to NALSAR college students after public backlash, he continued to face criticism over the way during which the choice was taken in extra of the powers of the BCI. The language of the BCI Chairperson’s letter additionally attracted criticism, as he termed the marketing campaign “nasty politics”.
The scholars and alumni of NALSAR and NLSIU had demanded an unconditional apology from Mishra. The NLSIU college students additionally raised objections to the participation of Mishra of their convocation ceremony.
In his three-page letter, referring particularly to convocation ceremonies, Mishra described them as particular events marking years of exhausting work and an vital transition in college students’ lives. He stated the choice on whether or not to take part should finally stay with the scholars.
“No scholar must be compelled to attend, and no scholar ought to really feel compelled to abstain,” he stated, whereas interesting to college students to make their selections independently after contemplating the matter in its entirety.
Mishra stated the connection between the judiciary, the Bar, universities and legislation college students was “a lot deeper and extra enduring than any short-term controversy.” Variations, he stated, ought to finally be resolved by dialogue, clarification and mutual respect.
He reiterated that the BCI regards legislation college students as the way forward for the authorized career and stated their dignity, independence of thought and legit issues have to be revered. On the identical time, he confused the significance of dialogue, mutual respect and constitutional values.
Calling for the current situation to be thought of with “equity and a spirit of reconciliation”, Mishra additionally stated it shouldn’t purchase a “political or extraneous color by exterior affect”. He urged establishments to respect college students’ independence of thought and stated there must be area for dialogue and shifting ahead “with out bitterness”.
