Activists Celebrate After Minister's Resignation Amidst Exam Leak Protests

Activists from the All India Students' Association (AISA), led by its national president Neha Bora, concluded their protest against alleged exam paper leaks with celebrations following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25. The group had been on a hunger strike for over three weeks at the Jantar Mantar protest site in New Delhi.

Neha Bora, a PhD scholar and theatre artist, became a prominent voice during the protest. She, along with other AISA activists, engaged in various forms of protest, including speeches, jokes, and even dancing to songs from the cult classic film 'Dil Se.' Bora's activism blended art and political messaging, using dark humor in Instagram reels to draw attention to the issues, comparing her hunger for food with the government's "hunger for power."

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If I can't dance, It won't be my revolution!

The protest site at Jantar Mantar was divided, with AISA activists on a separate platform from the main stage, which was kept "apolitical" for a hunger strike led by Sonam Wangchuk. Bora and two other activists, Aameen Amitoj and Manish, ended their fast after 23 to 26 days, having experienced significant weight loss and dangerously low blood sugar levels.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi publicly supported the protesting students, appearing at a press conference with Neha Bora and two other young women. Bora had previously stated, "Each wound inflicted on peaceful protesters will eventually prove to be the undoing of this arrogant government," following police action on a protest march. Despite Pradhan's resignation, Bora viewed it as a step rather than a final resolution, anticipating that another minister would simply replace him.

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Each wound inflicted on peaceful protesters will eventually prove to be the undoing of this arrogant government.