{
  "id": 1307361,
  "title": "‘We were never seen as a mind, only as a vote’: Neha Bora on India’s student resistance and the fight for democracy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/16/we-were-never-seen-as-a-mind-only-as-a-vote-neha-bora-on-indias",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-16T16:25:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/we-were-never-seen-as-a-mind-only-as-a-vote-neha-bora-on-indias-student-resistance-and-the-fight-for-democracy/article71353537.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Neha Bora, the president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), emphasized during a lecture in Hyderabad that Indian youth were never viewed as individuals with their own thoughts but rather as mere votes in the political landscape. Speaking at the 15th Annual Hasan Memorial Lecture titled 'Young India Speaks: Jantar Mantar and the Way Forward', Bora recounted how her generation became politically active following the tragic events surrounding Rohith Vemula, a UoH scholar.\n\nThe lecture took place in the wake of protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, which resulted in the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and police actions against protesters in Hyderabad on July 20. Bora pointed out the parallel between the beatings her fellow students faced in Delhi and those they endured in Hyderabad, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue.\n\nShe also touched upon the recent struggles at universities in Telangana, including NALSAR, EFLU, UoH, and Osmania University, framing them as part of a broader student movement defending democratic dissent. Bora connected these movements to a nuanced understanding of patriotism, asserting that genuine love for the country involves recognizing its flaws and injustices.\n\nShe mourned the plight of activists and academics who faced imprisonment and prosecution, citing the cases of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and others viewed as political prisoners. Stan Swamy, who died in custody after his arrest in the Elgar Parishad case, was also mentioned. When asked about the legacy of Jantar Mantar, Bora hoped it would be remembered as the genesis of an end to the era of fascist power in India, stating, \"We want history to remember us as the generation that put an end to the politics of hate in this country.\"\n\nFormer JNUSU president Sai Balaji echoed similar sentiments, noting how resistance movements typically start with a small group but swell as more people recognize and confront oppression. Balaji linked the current student movement to broader concerns regarding education and examinations, criticizing the society for failing to provide equal opportunities for fair exams, stating, \"A paper leak is not a symptom. The biggest symptom is that your society has died. You can’t give anyone an equal opportunity for a fair exam.\"",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Indian youth viewed as votes, not individuals, by political landscape",
    "Rohith Vemula's death sparks political activism among students",
    "Jantar Mantar protests lead to minister resignation and police actions"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}