Ink attack on AISA chief Neha Bora during Ranchi anti-paper leak protests
A man threw ink at All India Students' Association president Neha Bora during a protest march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Friday over
A man threw ink at All India Students' Association president Neha Bora during a protest march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Friday over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in the state. The man, who accused Bora of being "anti-national", was detained by the police. Bora said she would not be intimidated by the attack and used the occasion to back students demanding the cancellation of the JPSC and JSSC CGL exams and an immediate re-examination schedule. The protest has entered its 14th day, with six demonstrators on an indefinite hunger strike and talks with the government still not moving forward. Read Full Story The incident took place near Birsa Chowk when protesters, including supporters of Left student organisations AISA and AISF, were marching towards the assembly. "We were holding a peaceful march. A man suddenly emerged out of the crowd and threw ink at Bora," said Shivani, an AISA leader.
She alleged that the man was a BJP-aided goon. A police officer said the man who allegedly threw the ink was detained. Speaking after the incident, Bora said, "I am not going to be scared by ink throwing, as I faced pellet-gun firing and baton charge during the Delhi protest. Do they think ink can suppress the anger of students and youth across the country?" The man later told the media, "Bora is a supporter of Umar Khalid. I don't like her. She is an anti-national." Activist Umar Khalid was arrested in September 2020 under the UAPA on allegations of being one of the masterminds of the February 2020 riots that left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured. Earlier, Bora visited the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to extend support to the agitating students.
"I support the students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, demanding cancellation of the JPSC and JSSC CGL exams over alleged large-scale irregularities, scams and corruption, and an immediate re-examination schedule," she said. She urged the Jharkhand government to address the students' demands at the earliest, hold talks with them and ensure healthcare for those on hunger strike. Bora also said, "I also appeal to students across Jharkhand and the country to draw inspiration from this movement, like they did from Jantar Mantar, as students are sitting on hunger strike for their legitimate demands." The protesters have said they were forced to take the extreme step after repeated appeals to the government failed to produce any concrete action. Five protesters, including two women, joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto in the hunger strike on Tuesday night.
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