NALSAR student bar council backs NLSIU students after convocation cancellation | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The Student Bar Council (SBC) of NALSAR University of Law has expressed solidarity with the graduating batch of 2026 at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, following the university’s cancellation of its convocation.The representation, made public on Monday, has been endorsed by 111 NALSAR alumni.“It is not lost upon us that these circumstances are only a result of the solidarity shown to us by NLSIU students and alumni during the BCI (Bar Council of India) controversy,” the SBC stated, referring to the episode that followed objections to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) attending NALSAR’s 2026 convocation.“While we refrain from commenting on the contested versions of what led to such an impasse, it cannot be emphasised enough that a convocation marks a poignant milestone, recognising years of learning, growth, hard work, and the beginning of a new chapter in a student’s life,” read the statement. It added that denying students the moment, after they had already made arrangements, including for their families, was cruel.The SBC also criticised the NLSIU administration for cancelling the convocation “in an act of lightning speed”, stating that the move fell short of the “transparency expected of a legal institution” and questioned whether alternatives, such as postponing the convocation, had been considered.The council said it stood in solidarity with NLSIU students and appreciated the manner in which the graduating batch had conducted itself under pressure.NO DATE YET FOR NALSAR CONVOCATIONThe development comes amid a row that began in July, when NALSAR students submitted representations asking the university to reconsider inviting CJI Surya Kant to their convocation. While their subsequent tussle with the BCI has been settled, students said they have received no fresh communication from the management on a date for their own convocation.In 2025, the convocation was held in July 12.“Ever since the issue began, the management has been silent on the issue. We are clueless about what comes next. The management has neither communicated nor opened up a channel of communication around it,” a NALSAR student told TOI.Officials, however, said a decision would be taken soon.“We are now holding talks with the NALSAR chancellor, who is the Chief Justice of Telangana high court, regarding the convocation and will be able to take a final decision based on that. We should be able to come up with a concrete decision within the next two-three weeks,” a senior official said.