Bar Council of India Withdraws Enrolment Ban on NALSAR Students

The Bar Council of India (BCI) issued and subsequently withdrew a directive on August 13, 2026, that barred the 2026 graduating class of NALSAR University of Law from enrolling as advocates. Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra initiated the ban after approximately 70 students campaigned against the invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the university's convocation chief guest. Students cited concerns over the Chief Justice's perceived dismissiveness toward police brutality and his previous remarks describing unemployed youth as cockroaches.

The directive sparked immediate backlash. BCI Member N. Manoj Kumar called the order manifestly arbitrary, while the Cockroach Janta Party, a youth movement led by Abhijeet Dipke, threatened protests at the BCI office and Mishra's residence. Dipke called for legal professionals to unite against the move, which the party characterized as a witch hunt.

Hours after the order, the BCI withdrew the blanket enrolment ban. However, the council maintained that an inquiry would continue into those principally instrumental in the campaign. Chairman Mishra requested a factual report from NALSAR Vice-Chancellor Srikrishna Deva Rao to identify students and faculty who mobilized the boycott, alleging that some academic staff instigated the students.