Neha refuses to apologise for protestors' language, demands Amit Shah's response

Neha stated that when your people use derogatory language, it doesn't seem offensive to you.

Neha Bora, the National President of the All India Students Association (AISA), has refused to apologise for the abusive language used by protesters against the central government. She alleged that the controversy is an attempt to divert attention from the use of pellet guns and police force during the July 20 action. Neha of AISA, along with two colleagues, had gone on a hunger strike for 23 days during the protest at Jantar Mantar.

In an interview with PTI, Neha Bora said that the controversy over the language used by some protesters is being used to suppress the real question of accountability for the police action on the day of the Parliament march. After the protest ended, several videos surfaced showing protesters using abusive language. These videos sparked a political controversy and led to police action against several protesters. Among such protesters is 15-year-old Ruchika Singh. After making abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she became the centre of controversy, and multiple FIRs were filed against her.

Neha Bora described the legal action against the teenager as an example of selective repression. She directly targeted the central government, saying,

"You find the abusive language so objectionable. When Dharmendra Pradhan called the peacefully protesting students 'terrorists', did you not object? Did you file an FIR against him? When Nitin Nabin called us a virus, did anyone file an FIR against him?" The discussion should be about the injuries to the protesters, not their language.

She said, "First of all, to those asking us to condemn these abuses, I want to say, sorry, we will not be part of your game. You are raising this issue because we are demanding accountability from Amit Shah. We are asking for answers from the Police Commissioner. You find the use of pellet guns on students a small issue, but Ruchika's statement a big problem."

She questioned, "We are still seeking answers. Why were pellet guns used on protesters on July 20? Why were security forces given pellet guns? Why were there batons covered with nails that injured protesters?"

Neha also questioned why derogatory remarks made by leaders against the protesters were not investigated in the same manner.

She said,

"When your people use derogatory language in Parliament and when an RSS thinker says that 'women who like rape were protesting at Jantar Mantar', you do not find that language objectionable."

Neha alleged that,

after the controversy, she and Ruchika Singh received multiple rape threats on social media. "There is a gender aspect to this repression as well. Six FIRs have been filed against Ruchika, and she is receiving rape threats. This shows the gendered nature of the action against protesters."

She also claimed that attempts are being made to divide the protesters on the basis of caste and religion to weaken the movement. The existing divisions of caste, religion, and gender in society are being repeated in the repression to break the unity of the movement. Neha Bora states that the movement is not trying to justify every word spoken by every protester, but she opposes the attempt to limit the entire movement to just a debate on language and abuse.

She said, "The issue before the country is not whether someone used abusive language or not. The real issue is whether pellet guns and tear gas can be used on peaceful protesting citizens. People should be concerned about this."

Protesters agitating against the paper leak have alleged that excessive force was used by the police during the peaceful Parliament march on July 20, including the use of pellet guns. Delhi Police has denied these allegations. Meanwhile, the central government has stated that the security personnel acted within the legal framework.

Earlier this week, several FIRs were filed against Ruchika Singh. These include a Zero FIR filed in Noida, which has been transferred to Delhi Police for investigation. These cases have been registered under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to intentional insult, statements causing public mischief, and defamation.

Neha Bora said,

"The ultimate accountability lies with Amit Shah and the Police Commissioner. If anyone needs to resign or be removed from their position, it is these two people. Suspending a lower-level officer is not enough for us."

The head of the leftist student organisation AISA, affiliated with CPI(ML) Liberation, questioned the use of pellet guns and excessive force during the July 20 Parliament march, stating that the government has not yet explained why security personnel had pellet guns and "batons covered with nails."