NALSAR University Students Oppose CJI Surya Kant As Convocation Chief Guest, Cite Jantar Mantar Protest Hearing

More than 450 students from the 2026 graduating batch of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University, Hyderabad, have urged the university administration to reconsider the reported proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest for its convocation. In a representation to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, faculty members and other authorities, the students cited concerns over the CJI’s recent remarks and handling of proceedings related to alleged police action against protesters in Delhi.

The students said their objection was not to the office of the Chief Justice of India but to whether his reported conduct in recent proceedings was consistent with the constitutional values they associate with a law university. The representation was submitted before NALSAR formally finalised the convocation date or chief guest, with students asking the administration to consult the graduating batches before taking a decision. What CJI Surya Kant Said About Youth and How It Sparked the Cockroach Janata Party.

Why Are NALSAR Students Opposing the Invitation?

The students' concerns centre on a Supreme Court hearing concerning allegations of police excesses against protesters during a Parliament march from Delhi's Jantar Mantar on July 20.

During proceedings on July 22, a bench led by CJI Surya Kant declined an urgent request to hear a plea concerning the alleged police action. When the lawyer referred to video footage purportedly showing police brutality, the CJI said, "We are not interested in videos; we don't have time to watch." CJP’s Saurav Das Says ‘Hands Off Our Jantar Mantar’ After Delhi High Court's Protest Site Remarks.

The proceedings also included the remark, "Don't waste our time, and don't waste your time," according to reports. The students cited these remarks in their representation to the university.

The representation also referred to allegations that more than 70 protesters, including women and children, were injured during the police action.

Students Cite CJI's Earlier 'Cockroach' Remark

The students also raised concerns over remarks previously attributed to CJI Surya Kant concerning young people and the subsequent controversy surrounding the "Cockroach Janta Party" movement.

The movement emerged after the CJI used the term "cockroaches" while referring to certain unemployed young people who, according to reports, were turning to journalism and activism. The CJI later clarified that his remarks were directed at people with "fake and bogus degrees."

In their representation, the NALSAR students wrote: "We, the undersigned students of [redacted] (2025-2026), share the concerns of the graduating batch regarding inviting the Hon’ble CJI, Justice Surya Kant, as our convocation’s Chief Guest,"

They further wrote: "From referring to the youth as ‘cockroaches’ to making insensitive statements about not having time to watch videos of police brutality, the CJI has shown apathy towards students like us. Inviting him to our college to hand us degrees that hold so much academic and emotional importance does not sit right with us,"

Students Say Convocation Should Reflect Constitutional Values

The students argued that their concern was specifically connected to the values of legal education and constitutional accountability. "As students of law, our concern is narrow and more specific to us as a graduating batch," the letter says.

The representation argues that a convocation should reflect NALSAR's commitment to constitutional rights, access to justice and reasoned engagement with grievances.

The students said receiving their degrees from a dignitary whose recent reported conduct appeared dismissive of allegations of police brutality against protesting citizens would be inconsistent with the values taught at the university.

They have therefore urged the administration to reconsider the reported choice of chief guest and consult the graduating batch before extending any formal invitation.

"We request the University Administration to reconsider its proposal to extend the invitation to the Hon’ble CJI, and hope that the University treat this as a shared concern across the graduating cohorts rather than one raised by a single batch," the letter concludes.

CJI Had Later Clarified His Position on the Protest Plea

The students' representation comes against the backdrop of subsequent clarification from CJI Surya Kant. On July 24, reports said the CJI rejected claims that he had refused to list a petition challenging police action against students during the CJP protest. He said no such petition had been filed before the Supreme Court and described the reports as "reckless."

That clarification is relevant to the context of the students' objections because their representation focuses on the July proceedings and the remarks made during the hearing. The students have nevertheless presented their concerns as a question of institutional values rather than as a claim that the CJI should not hold his constitutional office.

NALSAR Students Seek Response Before Convocation Decision

The students noted that the convocation date and choice of chief guest had not yet been formally finalised. They said they wanted to place their concerns on record before any invitation was formally extended. The signatories have also expressed willingness to meet university officials or engage through other appropriate channels.

They sought an early response from the administration, preferably by Monday, describing their representation as a "genuine and respectful expression" of the graduating students' views. As of the latest available reports, NALSAR University has not issued an official response to the students' objections.

TISS Convocation Was Also Postponed

The NALSAR controversy comes days after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, postponed its 86th convocation, which had been scheduled for August 2. CJI Surya Kant was expected to attend the ceremony as chief guest.

TISS informed students that the event had been postponed because of "unforeseen circumstances". The institute did not officially connect the postponement with the CJI's proposed visit or possible protests.

However, reports citing officials and students said there were concerns about possible protests linked to the Cockroach Janta Party movement. Those reports also noted that the direct connection between the security concerns and the postponement could not be independently established.

The postponement disappointed some graduating students who had already made travel and accommodation arrangements for family members attending the ceremony.

A Wider Debate Over Universities, Dissent and Constitutional Values

The developments at NALSAR and TISS have placed renewed attention on the relationship between university campuses, student dissent and public institutions.

For the NALSAR students, the issue is specifically about who should represent the university at a ceremony marking the completion of their legal education. Their representation argues that the choice of chief guest should reflect the principles of constitutional accountability, academic freedom and access to justice that students are taught during their course.

The university has yet to publicly confirm whether CJI Surya Kant will be invited to the convocation. Until a formal decision is announced, the students' representation remains a request for reconsideration rather than a confirmed change to the proposed ceremony.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2026 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).