Archive · 28 Aug 2026
AISA chief says Gen Z movement ended fear of dissent
Neha Bora leads a student group called AISA.
She said young people protested at Jantar Mantar in Delhi about NEET paper leaks.
According to her, the protests made people less afraid to question the government.
She also said the protests helped lead to the education minister’s resignation in July.
Bora accused the BJP and RSS of calling some government critics harmful names.
She said young people are unhappy about unemployment and the growing gap between rich and poor.
She argued that governments should answer to citizens in a democracy.
Her comments were made at a youth gathering in Nagpur.
AISA president Neha Bora said a Gen Z movement at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar reduced fear of speaking against those in power.
Bora alleged the BJP and RSS had branded government critics as “anti-national” and “traitor”.
She cited the cases of student Vedant Shrivastava and tribal rights activists as examples of such labeling.
Bora linked the Jantar Mantar protest over NEET paper leaks to the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in July.
She said the movement had compelled BJP and RSS leaders to engage more directly with students and young people.
- Who
- Neha Bora, president of the All India Students’ Association, speaking about Gen Z protesters, students and the ruling BJP and RSS.
- What
- Bora said the Gen Z movement reduced fear of criticizing those in power and pressured political leaders to engage with young people.
- When
- Thursday, August 27; Bora also referred to a Jantar Mantar protest that culminated in July.
- Where
- Vasantrao Deshpande Hall in Nagpur; the protest she discussed took place at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- Bora said the movement arose from concerns including NEET paper leaks, unemployment, inequality and government accountability.
Bora’s claims
Reported counterposition
Fear of dissent
Bora’s claims
Bora said the BJP and RSS suppressed criticism by labeling speakers “anti-national” or “traitor,” and that the Gen Z movement reduced this fear.
Reported counterposition
The article does not include a response from the BJP or RSS to these allegations.
Impact of the movement
Bora’s claims
Bora said the protests made the BJP and RSS reach out to students and young people and contributed to political accountability.
Reported counterposition
The article reports Bora’s claims but provides no independent assessment or opposing account of the movement’s impact.
- Speaker
- Neha Bora, president of the All India Students’ Association
- Event
- A youth and citizens’ gathering titled “Resistance – Sab Yaad Rakha Jaaega”
- Location
- Vasantrao Deshpande Hall, Nagpur
- Protest discussed
- A Jantar Mantar protest over NEET paper leaks
- Reported political outcome
- Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned in July
- Hunger strike
- Bora said she joined climate activist Sonam Wangchuk in a 23-day hunger strike at Jantar Mantar
- Main criticism
- Bora cited increasing unemployment and a widening gap between rich and poor