New Delhi: Amid the controversy over the order banning the registration as advocates of students who graduated from NALSAR University this year, Bar Council of India (BCI) President Manan Kumar Mishra has apologized to the students. He said that the recent developments have created concern among the students and he is sincerely sorry if any of his words, messages or letters have hurt the sentiments of the students.
State Bar Councils were directed not to register students graduating from NALSAR this year as advocates. However, BCI withdrew this order within a few hours.
'Students' feelings and concerns matter'
In his statement issued on Independence Day, Manan Kumar Mishra said that apologizing is not a matter of prestige or ego. This is to acknowledge that the feelings and concerns of law students are important.
He said that if any of his words or letters related to the current controversy have hurt the sentiments of law students, he sincerely regrets it and apologizes.
Controversy started due to opposition to inviting CJI to the convocation ceremony
The entire controversy started when some students of Nalsar Law University wrote letters to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and teachers opposing the proposal to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest at the convocation ceremony of the university.
After this, the BCI President had issued a circular saying that the Council is investigating the allegations related to the alleged campaign against the Chief Justice attending the convocation ceremony. The council had also sought a report identifying those responsible in the matter.
This order was withdrawn within a few hours after criticism from the legal field.
Relief given to students in the amended order
The amended order issued later said that 'most' students were innocent and other students should not be punished for the alleged inappropriate conduct of some students.
On this matter, Chief Justice Surya Kant had also strongly reprimanded BCI and said that this is a matter between the students and them.
After this, Nalsar Vidyarthi Vidya Parishad had demanded a public apology from the BCI President.
NLSIU students and alumni also apologized
Students, current students and alumni of the Bengaluru-based National Law School of India University (NLSIU), who graduated this year, had also issued a joint statement demanding a similar public apology.
He had also protested against the participation of BCI President and Chief Justice in his convocation ceremony.
'Today's students will be part of the justice system tomorrow'
Manan Kumar Mishra described the students of National Law Universities as among the most aware and prudent young citizens of the country. He said that the youth studying law today will become advocates, senior advocates, teachers, scholars and judges in future.
He said that some of these students can also reach the highest positions in law and judicial system in future. Therefore the importance of his decisions is not limited to any one event or controversy.
Peaceful protest is part of democracy, but impartiality is necessary
The BCI President said that peaceful protest and dissent are an integral part of constitutional democracy. However, he appealed to students to reconsider the issues objectively as new facts or clarifications emerge.
He also said that the convocation ceremony is a special occasion and it should be the students' own decision whether to attend it or stay away from it.
Mishra clarified that no student should be forced to attend the function nor should any student feel pressured to stay away from it. He appealed to the students to take an independent decision as per their discretion after considering the entire matter.
Appeal not to give political color to the dispute
The BCI President also urged that the matter not be closed due to outside influence. There should not be any 'political or any other colour'. He stressed on resolving the dispute in the spirit of fairness and reconciliation.
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