NLSIU Convocation Cancelled Amid CJI Surya Kant Row; University Denies Link | Education and Career News
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NLSUI students will still receive their degrees. They can either collect their certificates from the NLSIU campus or opt to have them sent by courier.
The CJI is the Chancellor of NLSIU, while the BCI chairman heads the university’s General Council.(File photo: PTI)
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) has cancelled its 34th annual convocation, which was scheduled for September 12. The university has cited “unavoidable circumstances” for the decision. Students graduating this year will receive their degrees without attending a formal convocation ceremony.
The cancellation comes after a recent controversy over the proposed participation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in the event.
Several NLSIU students and alumni had opposed the two dignitaries being part of the convocation. The students had also supported students of NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, who had raised concerns over the CJI being invited as the chief guest at their convocation.
The CJI is the Chancellor of NLSIU, while the BCI chairman heads the university’s General Council. The CJI has traditionally attended the annual convocation at NLSIU.
In a statement signed by 165 graduating students, the students questioned the decision to invite the dignitaries. They said it was inappropriate for senior officials to formally award degrees to students who felt they had previously been treated with disrespect.
Why has NLSIU cancelled the convocation?
NLSIU informed students about the cancellation through an email on Thursday. The university said students had been told on August 3 that September 12 was being considered as the date for the annual event. However, the university now said it would not be able to conduct the ceremony due to “unavoidable circumstances”.
Students will still receive their degrees. They can either collect their certificates from the NLSIU campus or opt to have them sent by courier.
The university has not connected the cancellation to the controversy surrounding the proposed attendance of the CJI and BCI chairman. According to the university, the decision was taken after discussions with its governing bodies, the Chancellor and students. The university also denied reports that students had been pressured to withdraw their earlier statement. It said no disciplinary or punitive action had been taken against them. NLSIU said it supports freedom of speech and expression among students.
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