Law is living conversation, says CJI Surya Kant at delayed convocation

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday addressed the convocation ceremony at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, characterizing law as a continuous and dynamic conversation rather than a static set of rules.

The convocation had been postponed after students and alumni of NLSIU joined their counterparts at NALSAR, Hyderabad, in protest against the CJI's participation. The opposition stemmed from comments the Chief Justice had made regarding India's younger generation, which drew criticism from legal scholars and students across multiple institutions.

Speaking at the rescheduled event, CJI Surya Kant emphasized the evolving nature of jurisprudence and the judiciary's role in interpreting law within contemporary contexts. His remarks underscored the importance of viewing legal frameworks as responsive to societal changes rather than fixed doctrines.

The controversy highlighted growing tensions between sections of India's legal community and the judiciary over statements perceived as critical of youth engagement in civil discourse. The postponement marked a rare instance of coordinated student action against a sitting Chief Justice's institutional participation.