BJP says Neha Bora wants Bangladesh-like movement in India:Claims AISA chief’s remarks reflect Rahul Gandhi’s thinking

The BJP has targeted Rahul Gandhi over remarks by All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora on Bangladesh’s Gen-Z movement, with party leader Pradeep Bhandari alleging that her comments reflected the Congress leader’s thinking. Bhandari claimed that Gandhi had presented Bora as the face of the movement during a march and alleged that she wanted a movement similar to Bangladesh’s to take place in India. “Neha Bora wants exactly what happened in Bangladesh to happen in India as well. These may be her words, but the ideas behind them belong to Rahul Gandhi,” Bhandari said. The controversy follows a video message in which Bora congratulated Bangladesh’s Socialist Students’ Front (SSF) on its sixth central conference. She said India’s Gen-Z movement had drawn inspiration from Bangladesh’s movement. The SSF was active in Bangladesh’s student movement and the developments surrounding the change of government. What Neha Bora said in her video message “Our red salute to you. The Gen-Z movement taking place in India today first began in Bangladesh. You showed us the way, and we are grateful to you for that,” Bora said. She said the movement in Bangladesh was aimed at protecting democracy and voters’ rights, adding that young people in India were fighting for the same causes. Bora also said young people in Bangladesh had been fighting religious fundamentalism and claimed that Gen-Z in India was engaged in a similar struggle. Referring to Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University, she said the institutions were facing difficult circumstances amid growing threats and attacks. She further alleged that educational institutions and central universities in India were witnessing widespread restrictions on students’ rights. Criticising the push towards the privatisation of education, she claimed that educational institutions were being saffronised and critical thinking was being suppressed. Bhandari accuses Rahul Gandhi of conspiring to undermine democracy Bhandari alleged that an Islamist group had used a mob to spread chaos in Bangladesh and attempted to dismantle the existing system, claiming that its objective was a change of power. He claimed that Bora wanted a similar situation to unfold in India. Bhandari further alleged that Gandhi, having failed to bring his family to power through democratic means, was conspiring with his wider political ecosystem to undermine democracy. “Rahul’s objective is not democratic protest, but to legitimise chaos,” Bhandari said. Bora has participated in protests over NEET paper leak, SIR Bora came into the spotlight in July during protests organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the NEET paper leak. The protesters had demanded the resignation of the Education Minister. She also joined social activist Sonam Wangchuk in an indefinite hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. In October, Bora again drew attention during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleging irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. On October 10, police detained her during a protest in Delhi. In a video released during her detention, she said, “I am in detention, not the movement.” Videos of her speeches and participation in protests subsequently went viral on social media. Joined Rahul Gandhi at march, attended meeting at his residence On October 12, Bora was seen at the front alongside Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during an INDIA bloc march in Delhi. Gandhi was seen walking with his hand on her shoulder. The following day, she attended a tea meeting at Gandhi’s residence at 5, Sunehri Bagh Road. Representatives of Opposition parties, student organisations and civil society participated in the meeting.