TISS replaces CJI Surya Kant as chief guest for convocation

After postponing its convocation scheduled for August 2 with Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant as chief guest, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai has announced a new date with a new chief guest.

TISS said Dr C S Pramesh, director, Tata Memorial Hospital, would be the chief guest at its 86th Convocation on August 22.

‘Unforeseen circumstances’

Earlier, CJI Justice Kant was to be the chief guest at the convocation scheduled for August 2, but the institute postponed the event two days before, on July 31, citing "unforeseen circumstances".

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A PTI report on Tuesday (August 18), citing TISS sources, said that the CJI's office informed the institute that Justice Kant's calendar was full until November, and hence he would not be able to attend the convocation.

However, reports said that the convocation was postponed fearing protests from some students against CJI.

NLSIU opposes CJI attending convocation

Also, on Monday (August 16), the students and alumni of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) in Bengaluru opposed CJI Kant and Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra attending the upcoming convocation of the varsity.

In a statement dated August 15, the students and alumni condemned the now-withdrawn BCI order to halt the enrolment of students of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, and expressed their solidarity with the students at NALSAR, who they said have shown exemplary courage and moral conviction in speaking truth to power.

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"We are aware that the BCI has closed all proceedings against NALSAR. However, the fact that such unconstitutional and illegal "proceedings" can be initiated by a statutory body against students and faculty members of a public university in the first place does not alter the nature or the larger impact of such actions or dilute the responsibility of the Chairman and the BCI," the statement signed by 165 graduating students of the Class of 2026, 409 current students and 128 alumni.

NALSAR students’ opposition

Last week, a section of the students of NALSAR University of Law had written to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and professors of the institution, opposing any proposal to invite CJI as chief guest to the varsity's convocation.

In an email communication, some of the students of 2026 batch at the university said their concern arises from the refusal of the Supreme Court Bench led by the CJI to allow urgent listing of a plea concerning the alleged brutal police action against protesters during the peaceful 'Chalo Sansad' demonstration at Jantar Mantar on July 20.