Chief Justice to preside over NLSIU convocation weeks after he faced protests

The confirmation follows an August controversy, when 165 outgoing students, 409 students from other batches and 128 alumni opposed CJI Surya Kant's proposed convocation participation.Chief Justice of India Surya Kant (PTI)New Delhi,Oct 7, 2026 22:45 ISTChief Justice of India Surya Kant will preside over the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru’s convocation ceremony for the outgoing batch on October 17, the university has confirmed.The CJI will attend the event as NLSIU Chancellor, while theatre artist Arundhati Nag will be the Chief Guest and deliver the convocation address.The confirmation comes weeks after a controversy over the proposed participation of the CJI at the university’s convocation. In August, around 165 students from the outgoing 2026 batch, along with 409 students from other batches and 128 alumni, had opposed CJI Surya Kant being invited as the Chief Guest.The protest came amid a similar boycott campaign at NALSAR University of Law, where students had opposed the CJI’s participation in its convocation over his comments concerning unemployed youngsters and student protests. NLSIU students had also objected to the proposed attendance of Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at their ceremony.Against this backdrop, NLSIU announced on August 27 that it was cancelling the convocation, citing “unavoidable circumstances”. The university, however, revoked its decision last month and decided to proceed with the ceremony, without initially providing explicit confirmation on whether the CJI would attend.The latest communication settles that uncertainty, confirming Surya Kant’s presence in his capacity as Chancellor.With Arundhati Nag set to deliver the address, the October 17 ceremony will now bring together the university’s graduating students, faculty and guests following weeks of uncertainty surrounding the event.- Ends