CJI Surya Kant to preside over NLSIU convocation on Oct 17

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will preside over the 34th annual convocation of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, scheduled for Oct 17.

According to an official communication from NLSIU, Justice Surya Kant will attend the ceremony in his capacity as the Chancellor of the university. Theatre artist Arundhati Nag has been named the chief guest and will deliver the convocation address.

The announcement comes after uncertainty over the CJI’s participation following objections raised by a section of NLSIU students and alumni earlier this year.

NLSIU had earlier cancelled convocation

NLSIU had initially scheduled its annual convocation for Sep 12. However, on Aug 27, the university announced that the ceremony would not be held, citing “unavoidable circumstances”. It said graduating students would instead be conferred their degrees in absentia.

The cancellation followed opposition from a section of students and alumni to the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant and Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at the ceremony.

Around 165 students from the graduating 2026 batch, 409 students from other batches and 128 alumni had signed a statement opposing the proposed invitations.

The university subsequently revoked the cancellation and fixed October 17 as the new date for the convocation. The date had been approved by NLSIU's Executive Council and General Council, which were chaired by Justice Surya Kant in his capacity as Chancellor.

Arundhati Nag named chief guest

With the revised arrangements, Justice Surya Kant will preside over the ceremony as Chancellor, while Arundhati Nag will serve as chief guest.

Nag is a theatre and film personality and is associated with Ranga Shankara, a performing arts centre in Bengaluru. She will address the graduating students during the convocation.

The university's latest communication therefore distinguishes between the Chancellor's role in presiding over the ceremony and the chief guest's role in delivering the convocation address.

Student objections followed earlier controversy

The opposition at NLSIU came amid a separate controversy at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad, involving the proposed participation of CJI Surya Kant at its convocation.

NLSIU students and alumni had expressed solidarity with NALSAR students after the Bar Council of India issued, and subsequently withdrew, a direction concerning the enrolment of NALSAR's graduating batch.

The controversy was linked to objections raised by students over remarks attributed to Justice Surya Kant during proceedings concerning protests and allegations of police excesses.

NLSIU has now confirmed that the Oct 17 convocation will go ahead, with Justice Surya Kant presiding as Chancellor and Arundhati Nag serving as chief guest.