Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to law students following criticism over his directions passed against the students of NALSAR.
It is simply an acknowledgment that the feelings and concerns of our students matter," he added.
The NLSIU students also raised objections to the participation of Mishra in their convocation ceremony.
Mishra said the relationship between the judiciary, the Bar, universities and law students was "much deeper and more enduring than any temporary controversy."
He urged institutions to respect students' independence of thought and said there should be space for dialogue and moving forward "without bitterness".
Bar Council of India (BCI) chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra has apologised to law students following criticism over his directions passed against the students of NALSAR.
In a letter issued on Independence Day, Mishra expressed regret if his words or any communication issued by him in connection with the controversy had hurt the sentiments of law students.
"If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same," Mishra said in the letter.
"There should be no hesitation in saying so. An expression of regret is not a matter of prestige or ego. It is simply an acknowledgment that the feelings and concerns of our students matter," he added. Mishra's letter did not name any university or directly refer to the specific 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 entire batch of NALSAR 2026 after a section of students objected to the participation of the CJI in the convocation. Though the BCI Chairman withdrew the action against NALSAR students after public backlash, he continued to face criticism over the manner in which the decision was taken in excess of the powers of the BCI. The language of the BCI Chairperson's letter also attracted criticism, as he termed the campaign "nasty politics".
The students and alumni of NALSAR and NLSIU had demanded an unconditional apology from Mishra. The NLSIU students also raised objections to the participation of Mishra in their convocation ceremony.
In his three-page letter, referring specifically to convocation ceremonies, Mishra described them as special occasions marking years of hard work and an important transition in students' lives. He said the decision on whether to participate must ultimately remain with the students.
"No student should be compelled to attend, and no student should feel compelled to abstain," he said, while appealing to students to make their decisions independently after considering the matter in its entirety.
Mishra said the relationship between the judiciary, the Bar, universities and law students was "much deeper and more enduring than any temporary controversy." Differences, he said, should ultimately be resolved through dialogue, clarification and mutual respect.
He reiterated that the BCI regards law students as the future of the legal profession and said their dignity, independence of thought and legitimate concerns must be respected. At the same time, he stressed the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and constitutional values.
Calling for the present issue to be considered with "fairness and a spirit of reconciliation", Mishra also said it should not acquire a "political or extraneous colour through outside influence". He urged institutions to respect students' independence of thought and said there should be space for dialogue and moving forward "without bitterness".
Click here to read the letter
