Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? Bar Council of India Chairman at the centre of NALSAR convocation row
Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? BCI Chairman in NALSAR Controversy
Theindiapostdaily.com – Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? The Bar Council of India chairman has emerged as a central figure in a growing controversy following comments linked to NALSAR University's convocation ceremony. This development comes less than a month after the Cockroach Janta Party concluded its demonstration at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where the satirical organization had demanded former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
Now, the political satirists have redirected their attention toward Manan Kumar Mishra, the BCI head and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament. The controversy stems from remarks made by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during the NALSAR convocation, which sparked student protests and eventually led to calls for Mishra's resignation.
Professional Background and Legal Career
Manan Kumar Mishra is a distinguished senior advocate who represents Bihar in the Rajya Sabha as a BJP-nominated member. He currently serves as the chairman of India's premier statutory body responsible for regulating and maintaining standards within the legal profession across the country.
Originally hailing from Gopalganj district in Bihar, Mishra completed his BSc (Hons) from Rajendra College, Chapra, before earning his LLB degree from Patna Law College. His legal career began at the Gopalganj Civil Court, and he subsequently moved to practice at the Patna High Court in 1982. Over the years, he built an impressive reputation that eventually led to his elevation as a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India.
According to Hindustan Times reports, Mishra first assumed the position of BCI chairman in November 2014. In 2025, voters re-elected him for an unprecedented seventh consecutive term, with each chairmanship period lasting two years. This remarkable achievement underscores his standing within the legal community.
Political Journey and Recent Developments
Beyond his legal career, Manan Kumar Mishra has actively participated in electoral politics. He initially contested the 2010 Bihar Assembly elections as a Congress party candidate before later aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP subsequently nominated him for a Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar in 2024, where he secured an unopposed victory.
The current controversy began when NALSAR students petitioned university authorities to reconsider their decision to invite Justice Kant as the principal guest at the convocation ceremony. This reconsideration request followed Justice Kant's July remarks during proceedings involving a petition about alleged police misconduct against demonstrators in New Delhi. When legal counsel presented video documentation of the incident, the Chief Justice stated that the court was "not interested" in reviewing the footage and asked petitioners to avoid wasting judicial time. Approximately 450 students signed the petition supporting the reconsideration.
The Cockroach Janta Party's founder, Abhijeet Dipke, responded with an "isteefa do" (resign) social media post targeting Mishra over the NALSAR student dispute. On Thursday, the Bar Council temporarily suspended enrollment for the university's complete 2026 graduating cohort, a decision that drew immediate criticism.
"The Bar Council of India aims to protect the interests of the youth of India. I want to communicate to Abhijeet Dipke and Das (Sourav Das) that our interests are the same as theirs, to protect the rights of the students."
— Manan Kumar Mishra, BCI Chairman
CJP spokesperson Saurav Das characterized the enrollment halt as "grossly disproportionate, deeply troubling, and prima facie indefensible." He further cautioned that law students, practicing advocates, senior counsel, and "well-meaning young cockroaches" would organize nationwide demonstrations should Mishra fail to rescind the directive.
Mishra withdrew his order within hours following substantial public reaction. On Friday, he released a clarification statement to CJP founder Dipke, emphasizing that the Bar Council's objectives align with those of the satirical party. He additionally expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with both Dipke and Das to resolve the matter amicably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? Manan Kumar Mishra is a senior advocate and the current chairman of the Bar Council of India. He is also a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament representing Bihar as a BJP nominee.
What is the NALSAR convocation controversy about? The controversy involves NALSAR students protesting the invitation of Chief Justice Surya Kant as the convocation guest, following his remarks about not reviewing video evidence of police misconduct. This led to the Bar Council temporarily suspending enrollment for the 2026 graduating cohort.
How long has Manan Kumar Mishra served as BCI chairman? Mishra first became BCI chairman in November 2014 and was re-elected for a seventh consecutive term in 2025, with each term lasting two years.
What action did the Bar Council take regarding NALSAR students? The Bar Council temporarily suspended enrollment for all NALSAR students graduating in 2026, though this order was withdrawn within hours following public reaction.
What is the Cockroach Janta Party's stance on the matter? The satirical organization, founded by Abhijeet Dipke, has called for Mishra's resignation through social media and threatened nationwide demonstrations if the enrollment suspension is not reversed.
(with agency inputs)