Do it Gen-Z way: CJP's Saurav Das's advice after law school's convocation cancelled

After NLSIU cancelled its convocation, Saurav Das urged the graduating batch to organise its own ceremony and choose its own guest. The decision has intensified attention on student dissent and institutional autonomy in convocation rows.Organise your own graduation: CJP's Saurav Das on NLSIU cancelling convocation (Photo: PTI)Cockroach Janta Party co-convenor Saurav Das on Thursday reacted to the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) cancelling its 34th annual convocation, suggesting that the graduating batch organise its own ceremony and invite a guest of its choice. “I hope the NLSIU graduating batch organises its own graduation ceremony and invites the most honourable guest to felicitate them. Do it the Gen-Z way!” Das said in a post on X.His remarks came as the Bengaluru-based law university cancelled its annual convocation, scheduled for September 12, after more than 700 students and alumni reportedly objected to the proposed presence of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra.NLSIU cited “unavoidable circumstances” for the cancellation. Graduating students will instead be awarded their degrees in absentia, subject to the necessary approvals. The university's decision is notable because it did not merely replace the proposed guests but called off the entire ceremony.The development comes amid a series of controversies at prominent institutions over the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant in convocation ceremonies. At the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), the 86th convocation, originally scheduled for August 2, was postponed amid reports of concerns over possible student protests regarding the CJI's presence. The ceremony was later held on August 22, with Tata Memorial Hospital director Dr CS Pramesh replacing the CJI as chief guest.At NALSAR University of Law, hundreds of students had objected to the reported invitation to CJI Surya Kant, citing concerns over his reported remarks and handling of proceedings related to student protests in Delhi. The controversy escalated after the BCI briefly directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 graduates. The order was later withdrawn, while the CJI said he had never accepted the invitation. OP Jindal Global University also altered its convocation arrangements, with Justice PS Narasimha presiding over the ceremony. The university maintained that CJI Surya Kant had never accepted its invitation.While the circumstances differed across the institutions, the controversies have brought student dissent and institutional autonomy into focus. For students, the choice of a convocation guest can carry significance beyond the ceremonial role, particularly at institutions that train future lawyers and public officials.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 16:27 IST