Why 450 Hyderabad Law University Students Don’t Want CJI Surya Kant As Chief Guest For Their Convocation

Published 10 August 2026 · local

News india Why 450 Hyderabad Law University Students Don’t Want Surya Kant As Chief Guest For Their Convocation Why 450 Hyderabad Law University Students Don’t

News india Why 450 Hyderabad Law University Students Don’t Want Surya Kant As Chief Guest For Their Convocation Why 450 Hyderabad Law University Students Don’t Want Surya Kant As Chief Guest For Their Convocation Published By, Last Updated: August 10, 2026, 13:00 IST Hyderabad's NALSAR varsity students are irked with ’s alleged refusal to hear plea on police brutality at Jantar Mantar. has called reports on his alleged remarks "false" Rapid Read Chief Justice of India Surya Kant (File photo: PTI) Around 450 students from the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad have written to the administration opposing the proposal to invite Chief Justice of India () Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university’s upcoming 2026 convocation. Reason? The Supreme Court Bench-led by the ’s refusal to grant an urgent listing for a plea regarding alleged police brutality against peaceful student protesters at Jantar Mantar, stating he “didn’t have time and was not interested in videos". Following intense public criticism and viral media coverage, Surya Kant had addressed the situation in open court, dismissing the news reports as “completely false", “irresponsible", and “reckless." ‘Dismissive conduct’: What NALSAR students say The representation, initially signed by 70 graduating students and later supported by multiple batches from Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), asserted that the invitation conflicts with NALSAR’s values regarding constitutional accountability, student rights, and access to justice.

The students clarified that their protest is directed at the reported judicial conduct, not the constitutional office of the itself. The representation said a separate petition, submitted in the form of a letter to the, had sought suo motu intervention by the Supreme Court over the alleged police action. According to the students, the petition referred to injuries suffered by more than 170 protesters, including women and children. It also cited safeguards established by the Supreme Court in the DK Basu vs State of West Bengal case. The graduating students said they were uncomfortable with receiving their degrees from a dignitary whose recent conduct, as reported, appeared dismissive of allegations involving police action against protesters. The students have urged the university to “strongly reconsider" the proposed invitation and consult the graduating batch before formally extending it. Historically, the incumbent Chief Justice of India traditionally delivers the convocation address at NALSAR. As of now, the university has not officially confirmed the date of the convocation, nor has the administration issued a formal response to the students’ letters. ‘Media reported irresponsibly’: ’s clarification During a court session, a lawyer attempted to bring up allegations of police brutality against student demonstrators during the “Chalo Sansad" march at Jantar Mantar. When the lawyer offered to present video footage showing the alleged police excesses, the Supreme Court Bench led by the declined an immediate urgent listing.