AISA chief Neha Bora refuses to sign peace bond

All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha Bora has announced on Saturday her refusal to sign a peace bond before a special executive magistrate. This decision comes just a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed her petition challenging a police notice. According to the notice, Bora was required to provide a Rs 10,000 personal bond along with one surety, in order to keep the peace during an inquiry.

The police issued the notice on October 17 under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), instructing Bora to appear before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM) on October 19 and present her case as to why she should not be compelled to sign the bond. Bora argued that street demonstrations are a fundamental democratic right and questioned the premise that criticizing the government amounts to a threat to public order.

She emphasized that expressing dissent and holding the government accountable are essential elements of a democratic system. Bora also stressed that protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, despite its nature, should not be considered a violation of public order. The notice was served following Bora's detention by Delhi Police during the Lehra Do Tiranga march, part of the ongoing demonstrations demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over alleged flaws in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.