Widespread Backlash Forces BJP MP to Retract Threat, Chief Justice Distances Himself Amidst Student Protests
New Delhi, India – A prominent Member of Parliament from India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manan Mishra, has been forced into a swift retraction of a controversial threat against law students, following widespread condemnation, including a rare public rebuke from Chief Justice Kant. The incident has ignited a firestorm of protest across India’s premier law universities, raising questions about freedom of expression and the perceived overreach of political figures.
The controversy erupted after Mishra, also the Chairman of the Bar Council of India (BCI), reportedly threatened disciplinary action against students of Nalsar University of Law in Hyderabad. These students were protesting perceived inappropriate remarks made by Chief Justice Kant. The backlash was immediate and severe.
Chief Justice Kant himself weighed in, unequivocally stating that students possess a fundamental right to protest and that the Bar Council had "no business getting involved" in what he termed "a dialogue between law students and me." This unprecedented intervention from the highest judicial office underscored the gravity of Mishra’s initial stance.
Within hours of the widespread outcry, Mishra capitulated. He took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the closure of proceedings against the Nalsar students. In a post, he stated, "After considering the representations and reactions of senior advocates, members of the Bar, law students and public spirited citizens, and being satisfied that the 2026 batch of Nalsar, Hyderabad, had no role in any disturbance or movement, the Bar Council of India has decided to close the proceedings altogether. No further action is required."
Subsequently, Mishra issued an apology letter addressed to "dear young friends." He wrote, "If anything connected with the present controversy, any of my words, or letter, has hurt the feelings of our law students, I sincerely regret and apologise for the same."
However, this apology has done little to assuage the anger brewing within the student community. Over the weekend, students and alumni from another prestigious institution, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru, released an open letter condemning Mishra’s comments.
The NLSIU students explicitly stated their desire for Mishra not to attend their upcoming convocation ceremony. They expressed solidarity with Nalsar, supporting their request to "reconsider the choice of the chief guest" for their own event. Furthermore, extending their protest, the NLSIU students declared that, for the same reasons, they did not wish Chief Justice Kant to be invited to their convocation either.
Responding to the escalating controversy, Chief Justice Kant on Sunday clarified that he had "never accepted the Nalsar invitation" to be the chief guest at their convocation, asserting that "the question of me attending does not arise," as reported by the Times of India.
Despite these clarifications, the controversy appears far from over. Student anger against the Chief Justice has been simmering since May, stemming from an off-the-cuff remark made in court where the top judge reportedly likened some unemployed youth to "cockroaches and parasites." This initial comment laid the groundwork for the current wave of protests, demonstrating the growing assertiveness of India’s youth in demanding accountability from those in power. The incident highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the authority of institutions, as well as the increasing scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age.
