The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru has cancelled its convocation ceremony this year, instead conferring degrees 'in absentia' after due approvals. In a communication sent to graduating students, Registrar Dr Saurabh Bhattacharjee said that students will be conferred their degrees in absentia after due approvals. Students may elect to receive their certificates.

The cancellation of the convocation ceremony comes against the backdrop of a section of graduating students and NLSIU alumni opposing the move to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to the institute’s convocation ceremony that is usually held every September. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

Background Context

Earlier this month, the NLSIU Academic Administration team had emailed the graduating students and proposed September 12 as the date for the annual convocation. The protest followed oral remarks made Meanwhile, a statement issued

The cancellation of the convocation ceremony has been met with criticism from many quarters. About 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni had signed an open letter condemning the BCI’s now-withdrawn order. The protest followed oral remarks made Meanwhile, a statement issued

The incident highlights the ongoing rift between the NLSIU alumni and the BCI. The cancellation of the convocation ceremony is a result of the ongoing controversy surrounding the invitation of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to the institute’s convocation ceremony that is usually held every September.

Read More: Indians stranded: between Nepal’s Rasuwa to Kailash Mansarovar. Why tourists

Timeline

The future developments in this matter are uncertain. However, it is clear that the NLSIU will not be able to hold its annual convocation ceremony this year. The incident has raised questions about the role of the BCI and the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad.

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru Thursday informed that it will not hold the convocation ceremony this year. In a communication sent to graduating students, Registrar Dr Saurabh Bhattacharjee stated, “(S)tudents will be conferred their degrees in ‘absentia’ after due approvals Students may elect to receive their certificates ” Earlier this month, the NLSIU Academic Administration team had emailed the graduating students and proposed September 12 as the date for the annual convocation.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Vice Chancellor Dr Sudhir Krishnaswamy confirmed the development and added that even gold medals would be similarly dispatched to the awardees or have to be collected from the campus. The cancellation of the convocation ceremony has come against the backdrop of a section of graduating students and NLSIU alumni opposing the move to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to the institute’s convocation ceremony that is usually held every September.

About 165 graduating students, 409 current students and 128 alumni had signed an open letter condemning the BCI’s now-withdrawn order of August 13, directing state Bar councils not to enroll this year’s graduates of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR), Hyderabad. The protest followed oral remarks made We don’t have time to watch these videos.” Meanwhile, a statement delivered However, the fact that such unconstitutional and illegal proceedings can be initiated ”