Anger at Jantar Mantar had a history: AISA president Neha Bora
Mumbai: All India Students’ Association (AISA) President Neha Bora has said the anger seen at Jantar Mantar did not emerge overnight.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Neha Bora speaking at a Mumbai event attended by more than 800 youngsters, said it reflects years of protests and growing frustration among young people.
Bora linked the recent movement to earlier protests, including the farmers’ agitation and anti-CAA protests. She also recalled the 2019 protests at Jamia Millia Islamia, saying students who were demonstrating over citizenship rights faced a forceful response.
Bora said the recent Gen Z protests showed that young people are willing to participate in political and democratic movements. She called for people across caste and religious backgrounds to stand together, saying unity can make such movements stronger.
Quoting the slogan “Sarfaroshi ki tamanna”, she said the spirit behind these movements has continued for years and stressed that every generation has a role to play in shaping India’s democracy.
The event, “Dil Se Bol: Mumbai With Gen Z Rising”, brought together young people, artists and activists to discuss protests, youth politics and freedom of expression.
“The anger at Jantar Mantar was not merely ire over what happened on July 20. This anger has a history that includes the farmers’ protest and the anti-CAA protest,” said Neha Bora, the young national president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), who in July made a splash at the anti-NEET paper leak agitation with her fellow protestors.
Speaking on the success of the pan-India Gen Z protests, Neha said the students felt “proud” after getting education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. However, she added, the task of rebuilding India needed to be done by every generation.
“I appeal to Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers… to every generation that exists and every generation that will come in future,” she said.
