BCI Chairman Apologises to Students! Says, “I Regret If Their Feelings Were Hurt”

Manan Kumar Mishra Addresses Law Students on Independence Day, Says, “The Decision Is Yours”

New Delhi, August 15, 2026: On the occasion of Independence Day, Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra addressed law students across the country and issued an important message amid the recent controversy. He said that if any of his words or letters had hurt the feelings of law students, he sincerely regretted it and apologised.

Mishra said that whenever students feel hurt or aggrieved, their concerns deserve to be heard with patience, sensitivity and respect. He made it clear that expressing regret is not a matter of prestige or ego. It is simply an acknowledgement that the feelings and concerns of students matter.

Emphasis on Independent Thinking Among Law Students

The BCI Chairman highlighted the importance of independent thinking among students studying at National Law Universities and other leading legal education institutions.

He said law students study the Constitution, the Rule of Law, fairness and the importance of hearing all sides before reaching a conclusion. Therefore, they are fully capable of examining the facts and making their own independent decisions.

He also stressed that students should not be subjected to pressure or influence from any quarter.

Clear Message on Convocation

Addressing the issue surrounding the Convocation, Mishra said that the event holds special importance in the life of every graduating student and their family. It represents years of hard work and marks an important transition in a student’s life.

He said no student should be compelled to attend the Convocation, and no student should feel compelled to stay away from it. The decision, he said, must ultimately remain with the students themselves.

He appealed to students to consider the entire matter carefully and take a decision according to their own judgement.

“Peaceful Protest Is Part of Democracy”

Mishra also recognised the importance of peaceful disagreement, questioning and protest. He said students must always remain free to express their views.

At the same time, he said that when new facts or clarifications emerge, every issue should be reconsidered objectively and with an open mind. According to him, there is no contradiction between expressing a genuine grievance and later fairly considering a clarification.

Appeal to Keep Politics Away

The BCI Chairman appealed that the present issue should not acquire a political or extraneous colour through outside influence.

He urged law students to examine the facts themselves, consider the clarification offered and then take their own independent decision.

He also emphasised the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and independent thought between students and institutions.

“Today’s Students Are Tomorrow’s Pillars of the Legal System”

Mishra said that the students studying law today will become Advocates, Senior Advocates, Teachers, Scholars and Judges in the future. Some may eventually hold the highest positions in the legal and judicial system.

For this reason, he said their ability to think independently, listen to different viewpoints and make decisions based on reason, fairness and constitutional values is extremely important.

Independence Day Message of Independent Thought

Concluding his message, the BCI Chairman connected the spirit of Independence Day with independent thought, mutual respect and constitutional responsibility.

He expressed hope that the present controversy would now be considered with fairness, dialogue, clarification and a spirit of reconciliation.

The central message of his statement was clear: Students should be heard, their independence should be respected, and their decisions should be guided by their own judgement, reason and constitutional values.

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