Hyderabad: Voicing dissent is not a criminal offence in India, said NALSAR alumni in an open letter to Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, on Friday. This came a day after the BCI directed state bar councils not to enrol NALSAR’s 2026 graduates as advocates over their opposition to the Chief Justice of India’s participation in the university’s upcoming convocation. The directive was later rescinded.Signed by 441 NALSAR alumni, the letter condemned the BCI’s approach towards students, faculty and its disregard for university autonomy.“The (BCI) letters reflect a lack of empathy for students and their mental health, disregard for the fundamental right to free speech, and a tendency to deal with matters of young students and educated faculty in an arbitrary and high-handed manner,” the open letter read.They said the language of the first letter — which called for students to be barred from enrolling with state bar councils — vilified students and faculty by alleging “groupism”, “dirty politics”, “nasty politics” and accusing them of “instigating” and “misguiding students”.“Such loose statements are unbecoming of a statutory body entrusted with obligations towards the legal profession and legal education,” it stated.The alumni asserted that the BCI could not ask the varsity to identify those instrumental in initiating the campaign, as such actions are protected under the right to free speech. They also pointed out that the BCI had no jurisdiction over matters concerning free speech on university campuses.“What is more disturbing is that the language of the first letter reflects a predisposition to dominate students and faculty with coercive threats that restrict speech on university campuses, putting tremendous pressure on the mental health of students,” it read.They said universities should provide an ecosystem in which free-thinking and responsible citizenship can flourish.“That is how law aims to ethically tame politics. The two letters issued by the BCI are a far cry from these ideals. In fact, they betray an arbitrary approach towards young students training to be lawyers. You must seriously reflect upon the unconstitutional, arbitrary, and inhumane messages communicated through these letters,” the open letter further read.
