Click the Play button to listen to article

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.


Tags: