Neha Bora

Neha Bora
Bora in 2026
Born1997 (age 28–29)
Khatima, India
EducationDelhi University (BA), Ambedkar University (MA)
OrganizationAll India Students' Association
Known forActive participant in India's Gen-Z movements

Neha Bora is an Indian activist and PhD student. They are the national president of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and an active participant in India's Gen-Z movements.

Early life and education

Bora is from Khatima, Uttarakhand, India. Their father served in the Indian Army so they moved from city to city in their childhood. They are also a theatre artist. They completed their BA from Delhi University, MA from Ambedkar University, and are pursuing a PhD from the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Activism

Bora gained national attention through their involvement in the 2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protests, which called for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over allegations concerning paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET examination. Along with Sonam Wangchuk, Bora undertook a 23-day hunger strike in the national capital. Reports described the physical toll of the hunger strike on the participants.

Bora also participated in protests associated with the Cockroach Janta Party, a student movement that developed from an online political satire campaign. During the protests, Bora and other demonstrators called for the removal of Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar, alleging police brutality during the Sansad Chalo march organised by the group.

In October 2026, Bora's remarks praising Bangladesh's 2024 student-led uprising generated further political controversy. BJP leaders interpreted the remarks as support for a Bangladesh-style regime change in India through street protests, while the allegation represented their characterisation of Bora's statements rather than an established finding about their intentions.

Bora has spoken on the privatisation of education, mob lynching, paper leak, justice for Bilkis Bano, Gaza genocide and Gaza humanitarian crisis.

Neha Bora joined the 2026 Jharkhand student protests on 7 August 2026.

In October 2026, Bora was among the protesters who were detained during demonstrations in New Delhi over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. During one demonstration, they were reported to have attempted to climb a police barricade as protesters tried to reach Jantar Mantar.

After being released from the detention, a Special Executive Magistrate served them a notice seeking their explanation regarding why they should not give a personal bond for a sum of ₹10,000 and one surety to keep the peace during the time of investigation due to the reasons of sloganeering at the Mandi House, previous protests despite prohibition orders and encouragement of participating in an unauthorized demonstration at Connaught Place. Bora challenged the notice in the Delhi High Court, claiming that there were no sufficient grounds to serve the notice.

However, on 23 October, their challenge was turned down by the Delhi High court and it was concluded that there was enough material for proceeding but they had to be provided with that material and observe the natural justice.

On 24 October, Bora refused to sign the bond. Bora was then summoned to the magistrate, who provided them with the materials and gave until 29 October 2026 to make their submissions.

Support for Umar Khalid

Bora has publicly supported the release of Umar Khalid, who has been detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act related to allegations of instigating violence in the 2020 Delhi riots. In an interview with The Indian Express, they said that they and AISA support the release of Khalid. Bora has also advocated for the release of another prisoner, Sharjeel Imam, who is currently imprisoned in Tihar Jail, also under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for his alleged instigation of violence during the anti-CAA protests.

Controversy over remarks on Bangladesh style regime change in India

In October 2026, Neha Bora praised Bangladesh's 2024 student-led uprising, saying it had "shown us the way" for youth movements in India. The remarks prompted accusations on them and opposition-linked protesters of seeking a Bangladesh-style regime change through street mobilisation.

On 14 October 2026, Bora released a video message of support to Bangladesh's Socialist Students Front on the occasion of its sixth national conference. This came days after Nahid Islam, the leader of anti-Sheikh Hasina agitation in Bangladesh expressed solidarity with India's Gen Z movement. In the video, Bora said that the Gen Z movement seen across India had first started in Bangladesh, and said "we take inspiration from you" and offered "red salute to the youth of Bangladesh". Many BJP leaders including national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the clip and called it "an open admission of regime change".

Brahmin remarks

In November 2026, Bora was criticized by the leaders of Samajwadi Party over their remarks, the INDIA bloc leaders called it "Radical thinking". BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also criticised their remarks accused them of promoting what he described as "anti-Hindu politics". Former Shiv Sena(UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the remarks.

Following the criticism, a complaint was filed against Bora at the Pithoragarh Kotwali police station on 6 November 2026. The complaint stated that the remarks by Bora are disrespectful to the Brahmins and may hamper communal harmony and order.

Notes

  1. ↑ Bora is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.

References

  1. ↑ "Who is Neha Bora? Gen Z student leader becoming the face of India's protest movement". The Independent. 12 October 2026. Retrieved 13 October 2026.
  2. ↑ Pandey, Geeta (9 October 2026). "Neha Bora: India's feisty Gen Z protester who is taking on Modi". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  3. ↑ Shankar, Ravi (6 October 2026). "Neha Bora is the Marxist Madonna of Hybrid Revolution". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 "Who is Neha Bora? JNU research scholar seen during Jantar Mantar student protest". The Times of India. 30 July 2026. ISSN 0971-8257.
  5. 1 2 3 Sharma, Yashraj. "Why have India's Gen Z protesters called for a march to parliament?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "From PhD student to Indian police's most wanted Gen Z protester: Who is Neha Bora?". The Straits Times. 9 October 2026. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Who Is Neha Bora? Meet Student Activist Who Remained Steadfast At Delhi's NEET Protest Despite A 23-Day Hunger Strike". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 "JNU's Neha Bora continues hunger strike after Wangchuk moved away, alleges police crackdown".
  9. ↑ "Neha Bora ends 23-day hunger strike". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "How the Cockroach Janta Party transformed the protest from a meme to a student movement". The Wire. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  11. ↑ Shukla, Gargi (22 July 2026). "AISA calls for removal of Delhi top cop". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Neha Bora's 'red salute' to Bangladesh youth sparks row, BJP accuses her of seeking regime change in India". The Tribune. 15 October 2026.
  13. ↑ "Objective is regime change: BJP on Neha Bora's 'Bangladesh showed way' video". India Today. 15 October 2026.
  14. ↑ "Who is Neha Bora : कौन हैं नेहा बोरा? CJP प्रोटेस्ट के बाद क्यों हैं चर्चा में, सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो रहे वीडियो".
  15. ↑ "Not only Sonam Wangchuk, AISA activists on parallel hunger strike 'at high risk' too: 'Shows the govt is heartless'".
  16. ↑ "सोनम वांगचुक को हटाने के बाद भी आईसा कार्यकर्ताओं की भूख हड़ताल जारी, तबीयत बिगड़ी". 18 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "'We Are Fasting So People Find Courage Within Themselves Again': Voices from Jantar Mantar". The Wire. Retrieved 22 July 2026.
  18. ↑ Mishra, Mansi (6 August 2026). "Neha Bora to join Ranchi protest, says students' movement not selective". India Today. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  19. ↑ "AISA chief Neha Bora among 120 detained on Day 3 of protest against CEC". The Indian Express. 4 October 2026. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  20. ↑ Indian Express, The New (4 October 2026). "AISA chief Neha Bora picked up in unmarked car during Jantar Mantar march, later released". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  21. ↑ Mashal, Mujib (9 October 2026). "India's Young Put Their Bodies on the Line to Be Heard". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  22. ↑ "'Coordination with CJP on agenda basis, but alliances are always on radar': Neha Bora". The Hindu. 8 October 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  23. ↑ "'No turning back': AISA chief urges people to continue Jantar Mantar protest despite arrests". The New Indian Express. 9 October 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  24. 1 2 "'Will not sign': AISA chief Neha Bora defies Delhi police peace bond notice after HC setback". The Times of India. 24 October 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 October 2026.
  25. ↑ "AISA president Neha Bora refuses to sign peace bond, next hearing on October 29". The Hindu. 24 October 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 October 2026.
  26. ↑ Goswami, Anita (7 August 2026). "AISA's Neha Bora alleges 'RSS-BJP goons' attacked her, Jharkhand protesters: 'I wear this ink with pride'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  27. 1 2 "Express Interview | Student activist Neha Bora on 'anti-national' tag, Umar Khalid and whether she will fight polls". The Indian Express. 11 August 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
  28. ↑ "J'khand job exam stir: Man detained after throwing ink at AISA chief Neha Bora; BJP says 'drama'". theprint.in. 7 August 2026. Retrieved 4 October 2026.
  29. ↑ "Neha Bora's 'red salute' to Bangladesh youth sparks row, BJP accuses her of seeking regime change in India". The Tribune. 15 October 2026.
  30. ↑ "Objective is regime change: BJP on Neha Bora's 'Bangladesh showed way' video". India Today. 15 October 2026.
  31. ↑ Today, Telangana (15 October 2026). "BJP accuses Congress of seeking 'regime change' over Neha Bora's Bangladesh remarks". Telangana Today. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  32. ↑ "'You showed us the way': Neha Bora says Bangladesh's Gen-Z movement inspires Indian youth". The Business Standard. 14 October 2026. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  33. ↑ "Neha Boras red salute to Bangladesh youth sparks row, BJP accuses her of seeking regime change in India". The Tribune. 15 October 2026. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  34. ↑ "'You Showed Us The Way': Neha Bora Hails Bangladesh For Inspiring 'Gen-Z Revolution' In India | WATCH". TimesNow. 15 October 2026. Retrieved 15 October 2026.
  35. ↑ "BJP says 'objective is regime change' after Neha Bora's remarks on Bangladesh's Gen Z movement sparks row". Hindustan Times. 15 October 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  36. ↑ Tripathi, Ashutosh (15 October 2026). ""Objective Is Regime Change": BJP On Neha Bora's "Bangladesh Showed Way" Video". NDTV.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  37. ↑ "'Radical thinking': INDIA bloc allies snub Left leader Neha Bora's 'Brahmanvaad' remark". The Times of India. 3 November 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 November 2026.
  38. ↑ Arora, Kamna (3 November 2026). "BJP attacks AISA president Neha Bora over temple priest remarks". The Statesman. Retrieved 3 November 2026.
  39. ↑ Mukul, Sushim (3 November 2026). "BJP blasts Neha Bora over rapes in temple remark, Congress allies unsparing too". India Today. Retrieved 3 November 2026.
  40. ↑ "AISA की राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष नेहा के कथित वीडियो पर विवाद: पिथौरागढ़ में पुलिस को दी तहरीर, मुकदमा दर्ज कर कार्रवाई की मांग - Pithoragarh News". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 7 November 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  41. ↑ "नेहा बोरा को लगता है वो हर टॉपिक पर उपदेश दे सकती हैं, सुप्रीम कोर्ट के पूर्व जज ने खूब सुनाया". www.livehindustan.com (in Hindi). 7 November 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.