Days after BCI’s NALSAR about-turn, Justice Nagarathna says not good sign if Bar Council loses respect
Supreme Court Justice B.V. Nagarathna warned that the Bar Council of India risks losing its authority if it fails to maintain professional ethics and respect among its members. Her comments follow a controversy where the BCI attempted to restrict NALSAR graduates from enrolling due to student protests against the Chief Justice of India.
Why it matters
The incident underscores a significant institutional conflict between the judiciary and the legal regulatory body regarding freedom of speech and professional autonomy.
Supreme Court judge Justice B.V. Nagarathna said it is not a good sign if a Bar Council, whether at the Central or State level, loses the respect of its members.
The top court judge was speaking at the 13 th convocation of National Law University Delhi in the national capital on Saturday (August 29, 2026).
Justice Nagarathna’s words gain added resonance following recent public outrage and pushback from the legal fraternity over an aborted attempt by the Bar Council of India (BCI) and its long-standing chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra to restrict the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR from professional enrolment.
The students had objected to inviting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest for the convocation reportedly taking offence to his oral remarks peppered with terms like ‘cockroaches’ and ‘parasites’ in the court room.
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