Neha Bora: Young Indian Activist Challenges Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Youth activists in India returned to Delhi last weekend demanding the resignation of the country’s highest election official. At the forefront is 29-year-old PhD student Neha Bora, a prominent representative of this movement. Neha Bora is a theatre artist and has served as the president of the central left-wing student organization “All India Students Association” (AISA) for the past two years.
However, her activism extends beyond the campus, as she is currently active on a broader scale. Recently, some viral video footage showed a group of female police officers dragging her on the street; she resisted the police restriction by raising her fist and shouting slogans before being arrested. Images of her smiling even as female officers controlled her have also circulated widely.
Despite the widespread attention, Neha herself has downplayed the significance of these viral discussions and incidents in an interview with BBC Bangla. “I am aware that the event happened in front of cameras, so it appears differently,” she said, “but I have seen that all AISA student activists have acted as I did. It is only because the camera was focused on me that people have a different perspective.”
The spotlight on Neha comes amid intense protests taking place across India’s streets, seen as the most significant challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12-year tenure.