“We Have To Express Solidarity And Strengthen Our Resistance Daily”
Neha Bora was speaking at a convention titled ‘Gen-Z Movement: Unity of Generation and Resistance’, organised by Left-wing student organisations, at Jadavpur University (File Photo: IANS)
AISA president Neha Bora called for stronger coordination among student and democratic movements while addressing a large gathering at Jadavpur University on Monday, October 5. Speaking at a convention titled ‘Gen-Z Movement: Unity of Generation and Resistance’, organised by Left-wing student organisations, Bora linked the protests at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) with demonstrations in Delhi and other parts of the country.
“We have to express solidarity among ourselves and strengthen our resistance daily,” Bora told the gathering.
Referring to the unrest at SRFTI, she said activists had to remain connected across different movements. “One night you have to fight the radical forces at SRFTI and then come here the next day and express solidarity,” she said.
Attack on RSS and BJP
Bora criticised the RSS and BJP, alleging that they were attempting to intimidate protesters and weaken opposition movements.
“Some people are very proud of their power today and feel that they can beat us to bring us to our knees,” she said, referring to protests at places including Jantar Mantar, Jadavpur University and SRFTI.
She added, “They do not understand that the people who are associated with the movements come from Left ideology and they cannot be brought into submission by any means.”
Bora also invoked the history of Left movements across different parts of the world. “The legacy of the Left comes from Vietnam, Cuba, Iran and Latin America. We can never be beaten into submission,” she said.
Opposition to Electoral Roll Revision
Turning to politics in West Bengal, Bora criticised the BJP over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“They want to rule Bengal with an iron fist and hence they have crafted SIR for Bengal,” she alleged.
She argued that voting rights were central to democratic participation and accused the BJP of undermining those rights.
“Democracy is not abstract but a promise from the panchayat level to the top central positions that common people will decide through a very powerful system called vote,” Bora said.
She added, “We promise that we will not allow you to destroy our democracy.”
‘Bengal cannot be silenced’
Bora said West Bengal had historically played an important role in political and social movements and argued that the state had a responsibility to defend democratic institutions.
“Bengal has always shown leadership and made way for several revolutions and movements in the country. They want to silence Bengal, which is impossible,” she said.
She also accused the BJP and RSS of using intimidation and violence against their political opponents, referring to incidents of mob violence and demolitions.
“The war they have raged against the people of the country has reached Bengal,” Bora said. “It is upon Bengal to defend not just itself but the entire democracy that we are proud of.”
Demands raised at the convention
The gathering attracted a crowd significantly larger than the 220–230-seat capacity of Jadavpur University’s K.P. Basu Memorial Hall. The programme consequently spilled into the area outside Gandhi Bhavan.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Afrin Shilpi, secretary of the university’s researchers’ association, and SRFTI student Shubham.
The organisers raised several demands, including the withdrawal of the National Education Policy 2020 and opposition to the National Testing Agency (NTA), SIR and ISI-related Bills. They also extended support to the ‘Save Schools, Save Education’ campaign.
ABVP questions university permission
The event also triggered objections from the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The student organisation wrote to university authorities questioning how Bora, who is not a university student, had been allowed to participate in a campus programme.
Jadavpur University registrar Debjit Dutta subsequently informed Vice-Chancellor Chiranjib Bhattacharya that he had not authorised the event.
Dutta said he learnt about the programme through media reports and “was completely unaware of it prior to that”. Reports also indicated that a permission document addressed to the registrar had been signed by the joint registrar.
Programme moved outdoors
Bora was escorted from Kolkata airport to Jadavpur by Left activists and supporters amid concerns over possible protests by right-wing groups. The convention was eventually moved outdoors because of the large turnout.
Bora was expected to appear alongside CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya at Binoy Chowdhury Hall in Harekrishna Konar Bhavan on Tuesday. The two are scheduled to participate in a media interaction focusing on the national political situation and the strategy of the INDIA alliance.
