The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has officially called off its 34th annual convocation ceremony, which was originally scheduled to take place on September 12. The university administration communicated this decision to its students through an official email, citing "unavoidable circumstances" as the reason for calling off the event. This major decision arrives in the wake of significant discontent expressed by a section of students and alumni regarding the proposed participation of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. Although the announcement coincided with the mounting controversy surrounding the dignitaries, the university leadership has explicitly clarified that the cancellation is completely unrelated to the objections raised by the student body.
Official Communication and Scheduling History of the Ceremony
According to the details shared by the institution, the university had initially reached out to the student community on August 3 to inform them that plans were underway to hold the 34th annual convocation on September 12. However, following subsequent internal deliberations and operational evaluations, the administration determined that holding the event on the designated date would no longer be feasible due to unavoidable circumstances. The email sent to students on Thursday formally notified the university community of the event's cancellation, bringing a temporary pause to the traditional annual gathering that marks the culmination of the academic journey for graduating law cohorts.
Degree Distribution Options for Graduating Batches
Addressing concerns regarding the academic impact on graduating students, NLSIU emphasised that the cancellation of the formal public ceremony will not cause any delay or disruption in the issuance of academic degrees and certificates. The university management confirmed that every eligible student will receive their degree certificate without hindrance. To ensure a smooth transition, the administration has outlined two flexible options for students to collect their official credentials. Under the first option, students are permitted to visit the NLSIU campus in person to collect their degree certificates directly from the administrative office. Alternatively, for those unable to visit the campus, the university has arranged to dispatch degrees securely via courier service directly to the students' registered addresses. This dual-option mechanism ensures that all administrative procedures related to graduation remain fully functional despite the absence of a physical ceremony.
Student Representation and Objections Over Guests
The cancellation of the convocation has brought intense focus onto an underlying controversy involving the proposed guest list for the event. A substantial group comprising 165 graduating students issued a joint signed statement formally questioning the decision to invite CJI Surya Kant and BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra as key attendees. In their statement, the students expressed strong reservations about receiving their academic degrees from these specific dignitaries during the formal ceremony. Traditionally, the Chief Justice of India serves as the ex-officio Chancellor of NLSIU and has historically attended the university's annual convocation ceremonies. Similarly, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra occupies a key leadership role as the head of the university's General Council. In addition to voicing their own concerns, the NLSIU students also extended explicit solidarity to students at the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, who had previously expressed similar apprehensions regarding the invitation extended to the CJI as the chief guest for their own institutional convocation.
University Administrative Clarifications and Free Speech Stance
In response to widespread discussion surrounding the event's cancellation, NLSIU issued a clear statement refuting any connection between the student protest and the decision to cancel the convocation. The university administration clarified that the final resolution to call off the September 12 event was arrived at after thorough consultations involving the university's governing bodies, the Chancellor, and student representatives. Furthermore, the university strongly denied reports suggesting that graduating students were subjected to administrative pressure or coerced into withdrawing their joint statement. The institution confirmed that no disciplinary action or punitive measures of any kind have been initiated against any student involved in issuing the statement. Reaffirming its institutional ethos, NLSIU stated that it firmly supports the fundamental right of students to freedom of speech and expression, confirming that students remain fully entitled to express their opinions without fear of institutional reprisal or penalty.
