Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? Bar Council Chair at centre of CJP’s ‘isteefa do’ post, NALSAR row
Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? Bar Council Chief in NALSAR Row
Bharatmorningnews.com – Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? The Bar Council of India chairman has become the focal point of a growing controversy following NALSAR University’s convocation event. The situation intensified after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was invited as the chief guest, prompting student protests against his participation.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) quickly mobilized its “isteefa do” campaign, directing calls for resignation toward Mishra alongside NALSAR students in Hyderabad. This political movement has brought renewed attention to the Bar Council’s handling of the situation.
Enrollment Freeze and Quick Reversal
The Bar Council initially decided to freeze enrollment for NALSAR’s entire 2026 graduating batch. However, this decision was reversed within hours after widespread public criticism emerged on social media platforms.
Following a thorough review, the BCI determined that students were not responsible for any disruptions related to CJI Surya Kant’s planned appearance. The Council subsequently closed all proceedings against the graduating batch.
Mishra shared this update through a post on X on Thursday. The announcement followed intense social media pressure, with CJP’s Abhijeet Dipke publicly asking whether it was time for “Mannan Mishra isteefa do.”
Legal Career and Political Journey
A senior advocate and Rajya Sabha member representing Bihar, Mishra was nominated by the Bharatiya Janata Party. His leadership role at the BCI has positioned him at the center of this legal and political debate.
Originally from Gopalganj district in Bihar, Mishra completed his BSc (Honours) from Rajendra College in Chapra before earning his LLB from Patna Law College. His legal career began at the Gopalganj Civil Court, and he moved to the Patna high court in 1982. He later became a senior advocate in the Supreme Court.
Mishra has led the BCI since November 2014. In 2025, he won re-election for his seventh consecutive term as chairman. Each chairman serves a two-year term.
Politically, Mishra contested the 2010 Bihar Assembly election as a Congress candidate before joining the BJP. The BJP nominated him for the Rajya Sabha in 2024, where he won unopposed.
How the Controversy Unfolded
The dispute began when reports emerged about NALSAR students campaigning against CJI Surya Kant’s convocation participation. The BCI responded by instructing all State Bar Councils to pause enrollment of NALSAR’s 2026 batch pending further investigation.
The Council also requested a detailed inquiry to identify who organized or participated in the opposition campaign. According to the BCI, showing disrespect toward the nation’s highest judicial office contradicted the values expected of future legal professionals.
CJP leaders, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and Saurabh Das, voiced their criticism on social media.
Saurabh Das questioned why students faced potential punishment for expressing dissent. He accused the Bar Council chairman of branding them “anti-national forces.” Das also challenged Mishra’s tenure, noting that the Council spent approximately ₹14 crore on meetings and conferences in one year.
Abhijeet Dipke similarly took to X, asking: “Time for Manan Mishra isteefa do?”
Facing mounting pressure, the BCI reversed its position. The enrollment restriction was lifted, with the Council acknowledging that most students were innocent and uninvolved in the campaign.
Initially, the Council planned to conduct an inquiry into those allegedly connected to the disturbances. However, Mishra later announced that even these proceedings had been terminated after the BCI concluded the graduating batch had no connection to any disruption.
He further advised students to express their views respectfully while maintaining the dignity of constitutional institutions.
FAQ: Understanding the Manan Kumar Mishra Controversy
Who is Manan Kumar Mishra? He is the Bar Council of India chairman, a senior advocate, and a Rajya Sabha member representing Bihar, nominated by the BJP.
What is the NALSAR row about? It concerns student protests against CJI Surya Kant’s convocation participation, which led the BCI to temporarily freeze enrollment for NALSAR’s 2026 batch.
What does “isteefa do” mean? It is a Hindi phrase meaning “resign,” which the CJP campaign uses to call for Mishra’s resignation from his position.
Why was the enrollment freeze reversed? The BCI found that students were not responsible for the disruptions and had no connection to the opposition campaign.
How long has Mishra been BCI chairman? He has headed the BCI since November 2014 and won re-election for his seventh consecutive term in 2025.