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Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has defended the right of NALSAR University students to express dissent, saying even an incorrect opinion does not take away their right to protest.
The remarks came during a Supreme Court hearing concerning the Bar Council of India’s intervention in a controversy at the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University of Law.
The dispute followed a student protest against the invitation extended to CJI Kant to attend the university’s convocation as chief guest.
Senior Advocate K Parameshwar, representing the matter, argued that the BCI had no authority to intervene in the university’s internal affairs.
CJI Kant agreed with the submission and described the regulatory body’s involvement as unnecessary.
The Chief Justice also recalled his own involvement in student activities and stressed the importance of allowing young people to voice disagreement.
The Supreme Court issued notice in the case and ordered authorities not to take punitive action against NALSAR students or faculty members in connection with the controversy.
The BCI accepted the notice and informed the Court that it had already withdrawn the disputed circular.
The Supreme Court gave the regulatory body two weeks to submit its response.
The Court also clarified that authorities must not take adverse action against NALSAR students over the incidents mentioned in the challenged letters.
CJI Kant stressed that young people should have the freedom to participate in democratic debate, even when they make mistakes in expressing their views.
The controversy began after NALSAR students objected to CJI Kant’s invitation to the convocation. They referred to what they described as his alleged failure to act on claims of police excesses during recent protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
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