New Delhi, Aug. 30 -- Bar Councils must introspect on their role and work towards earning the respect of their members, Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna said on Saturday, in remarks that come in the wake of the recent controversy involving the Bar Council of India (BCI) and NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad. "The Bar Councils, whether the Central or the States, must introspect on their role and importance in upholding professional ethics, morality and professional competence," Justice Nagarathna said while delivering the convocation address at the 13th convocation of National Law University, Delhi. "When a Bar Council does not earn the respect of its members, it is not a good sign for the legal profession," she said. Her remarks assume significance against the backdrop of the BCI's recent action against the 2026 graduating batch of NALSAR, which triggered a confrontation with the students and drew sharp scrutiny from the Supreme Court. The BCI had on August 13 directed state Bar Councils not to enrol NALSAR's 2026 graduates as advocates amid a controversy over a student campaign opposing the invitation to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as chief guest at the university's convocation. The BCI subsequently withdrew the enrolment freeze and closed the proceedings against the batch. BCI chairman Manan Kumar Mishra later apologised to the students. Subsequently, a Supreme Court bench, led by CJI Kant, while hearing the matter, questioned the BCI's intervention in the controversy and emphasised the students' right to peacefully express dissent. The episode also led to criticism of the BCI from sections of the legal fraternity, including demands for Mishra's resignation. Without referring to the NALSAR episode, Justice Nagarathna placed the question of the Bar Council's credibility in the larger context of the responsibilities of the legal profession.P4...