“It’s about defending democracy”: Neha Bora recounts Delhi Police crackdown
AISA President Neha Bora describes her detention and the massive crackdown by Delhi Police during recent democratic protests in the capital.
The All India Students' Association (AISA) national president, Neha Bora, has broken her silence on the recent wave of demonstrations, describing a heavy-handed response from the authorities. Speaking at a press conference, Bora detailed the intense crackdown and mass detentions carried out by the Delhi Police during recent protests aimed at protecting democratic processes.
A Movement Beyond Politics
Bora asserted that what began as protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has transformed into a much larger citizens' movement. According to her, the public is increasingly concerned about the integrity of electoral rolls and the fundamental right to protest.
She highlighted that recent marches have seen a significant influx of diverse voices. High-profile figures, including Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha, TMC MP Mahua Moitra, political activist Yogendra Yadav, and RTI activist Anjali Bhardwaj, have joined the cause. Bora noted that this unity mirrors the strength seen in recent education-related movements, signaling a consolidated effort to address systemic issues.
Allegations of Mass Detentions
The scale of the police response has been a central point of contention. Bora claimed that during the demonstrations on October 2, the crackdown was severe, with nearly 1,000 people detained and moved to various police stations across the capital.
Despite these detentions, protesters continued to take to the streets on October 3 and 4. Bora alleged that the authorities have been selectively targeting individuals to stifle dissent. She pointed to the march from India Gate to Jantar Mantar on October 4, where approximately 3,000 people participated, as a testament to the public's resolve despite the risks of arrest.
"I was the only protester inside"
Recounting her personal experience during the unrest, Bora shared a harrowing account of her own detention. She described being isolated by police personnel and forced into a private vehicle.
“I was the only protester inside, while the rest of the people in the vehicle were police personnel,” Bora stated, noting that other protesters attempting to join her were forcibly pushed away by the police.
The situation escalated when fellow protesters refused to let the vehicle leave. In a dramatic standoff, women protesters climbed onto the roof of the vehicle while others sat directly in its path, successfully halting its movement for nearly an hour.
The Fight Over Electoral Integrity
At the heart of these protests is a deep concern regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Bora warned that the current processes could potentially disenfranchise as many as 13 crore people.
She emphasized that the massive turnout witnessed in cities like Mumbai and Delhi serves as a warning. For the protesters, the issue is no longer just about administrative errors, but about what they perceive as the "theft of democracy and the theft of votes."
Bora concluded by stating that the resistance against the police was not about personal loyalty to any leader, but about ordinary citizens standing together to safeguard the democratic framework of the country.