Freedom of speech in law schools

Students at NALSAR University of Law protested against the Chief Justice of India's visit, citing concerns over his remarks and handling of student dissent. The incident has sparked a broader debate on freedom of speech and the space for protest within Indian legal education institutions.
Why it matters
The conflict between judicial authority and student activism raises significant questions about academic freedom and the culture of dissent in elite professional schools.
A large section of students from the outgoing 2026 batch of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, staged protests against the proposal of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being the chief guest at their convocation. This was in solidarity with students who protested against the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar on the call of Cockroach Janta Party. The online pressure group got its name and took shape after the CJI reportedly called the youngsters of the country ‘cockroaches’ while dealing with a case on fake law degree holders. The NALSAR students were also upset by the CJI’s refusal to look into the police excesses on peaceful protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in