NALSAR Weighs BCI Directive on Student Protests

The NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad finds itself at a regulatory crossroads after the Bar Council of India demanded an inquiry into student protests. The controversy centers on a demonstration against the Chief Justice of India, who was slated as the keynote speaker for the institution's upcoming convocation ceremony.

Editorial·August 14, 2026·reads: 2,339

NALSAR Weighs BCI Directive on Student Protests

Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao confirmed the university is currently vetting the BCI’s request against its own governance statutes to determine if such an investigation holds legal weight. The university's Executive Council will review the directive to see if it aligns with constitutional requirements and internal mandates.

While the BCI initially attempted to block the enrollment of students involved in the protest, the council later retracted that specific restriction. However, the requirement for a formal investigation report remains in effect. The move has drawn sharp criticism from legal circles, including Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh, who labeled the BCI’s intervention as arbitrary and a potential infringement on fundamental rights to free speech.