NALSAR grads balk at CJI as guest
A reported group from NALSAR’s 2026 batch has asked the university to rethink Justice Surya Kant as a possible convocation chief guest, citing his May “cockroaches” controversy and a July 22 exchange over student protests. The university hasn’t announced the date, the guest or the letter.
A reported request has asked NALSAR to reconsider its possible convocation guest; the university has not confirmed an invitation or date.
A report doing the rounds says a “large section” of NALSAR’s outgoing 2026 batch wrote on July 23 to the Vice-Chancellor and administration asking the university to reconsider inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as convocation chief guest. The university has not publicly confirmed any invite, acceptance or even the convocation date.
Students reportedly pointed to two moments. First, the May hearing where multiple reports quoted the CJI describing some youngsters as “cockroaches” and “parasites” entering media, RTI work and activism. The next day he said the coverage misrepresented him and that his criticism was aimed at fake-degree holders, not India’s youth. Both the remark and the clarification exist in the record.
Second, the July 22 courtroom exchange when a lawyer sought urgent listing over alleged police action on student protesters. Reports quoted Justice Kant saying, “We are not interested in videos; we don’t have time to watch,” and “Don’t waste our time.” The request was not granted that day; on July 24 he said media “falsely reported” that he refused to list a petition, calling it only a representation.
For context: NALSAR’s convocations often feature senior judges — Justice P.S. Narasimha presided in 2024, and the 2025 event was held with the Telangana Chief Minister present — but there’s no published rule that the CJI is the fixture every year. The “tradition” claim needs a document, not nostalgia.
Hyderabad’s law students wanting a convocation that reflects the values they’re taught is not a crime; it’s the coursework. If the Congress and BJP want to turn that into outrage theatre, they can start by reading the transcript they keep quoting. Assuming they can find it.