SC Justice Bhuiya says punishing students for asking questions is unconstitutional

Supreme Court Justice Ujjwal Bhuiya on Sunday (30 August, 2026) made strong remarks on students' freedom to express diverse views and ask questions in educational institutions. He termed any threat of punishment against students for asking questions as unconstitutional and misuse of authority.

Addressing the 13th convocation of postgraduate students at National Law University in Delhi, Justice Bhuiya said questioning is not opposition or defiance, and intolerance contradicts the spirit of India's Constitution. He stated students cannot be threatened with punishment for expressing different opinions or raising questions on any subject.

Justice Bhuiya remarked that universities should be places where free thinking is cultivated and students feel encouraged to ask difficult questions. Established ideas should be open to scrutiny and disagreement should not be viewed with hostility.