Hyderabad University Students Oppose CJI as Chief Guest

Around 450 students of the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad have opposed the proposal to invite Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant as the chief guest for the university’s upcoming annual convocation.

Traditionally, the serving CJI has been delivering the convocation address at NALSAR for several years. However, opposing this several students of NALSAR submitted their dissent for inviting CJI Surya Kant as the Chief Guest for the convocation.

Students from different batches, including the outgoing LLB and LLM students, have written to the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and professors, asking the university to reconsider its choice of chief guest. The students have cited recent remarks made by CJI Surya Kant in connection with a petition alleging police excesses during the NEET protests last month.

Going into the details, of the total 1,400 students in the University, the first representation was sent to the university authorities on July 23 by around 70 students from the outgoing LLB batch. By July 25, students from the 2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031 batches also expressed their support. Around 380 students from these batches submitted separate letters to the university administration.

Together, around 450 students have now raised objections to inviting the CJI for the convocation. The students have asked the university authorities to reconsider the decision and choose another person for the convocation address.

With the students’ opposition, there is an uncertainty over the conduct of the convocation ceremony this year. Meanwhile, the final decision on the chief guest and the ceremony is expected to be taken by the university administration.

The development also comes against the backdrop of growing public criticism faced by CJI Surya Kant following his controversial “cockroach” remarks in May. Although the CJI later clarified that the comment was directed at people entering the legal profession through fake or bogus degrees, and not at the country’s youth, the remarks had already triggered significant backlash and debate on social media.