The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)’s strike demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak may have ended with Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, but controversies surrounding the students’ protests continue. The latest to trigger a row is the celebrations conducted by the CJP leadership at a Delhi hotel, which were criticised by many, including BJP leader and lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani.
Now, the video of a CJP protester, Neha Bora, All India Students Association (AISA) national president and JNU research scholar, dancing has divided the internet. Bora, who emerged as a prominent and influential voice during the strike, claimed to have participated in the hunger strike. Local media reports claimed that her body weakened following the protest, forcing doctors to voice serious concerns about her health. She was also seen limping with two others helping her walk.
Neha herself has shared a video on her Instagram account showing her dancing to celebrate Pradhan’s ouster. She captioned it: “If I can’t, then it won’t be my revolution”.
As soon as the video surfaced, questions arose on social media about her hunger strike. “Two days ago, she couldn't even walk without support. Look how she turned into a pro dancer and was dancing after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation,” one user said.
Many others also questioned how she was dancing so quickly if she had been on a fast for so long. BJP activist Preeti Gandhi also questioned Neha Bora, claiming that until a day earlier, Neha was reportedly unable to walk without support, but after Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, she was seen dancing with full energy. Preeti Gandhi sarcastically called this a "subject of study for the medical world."
Some also said it is unfair to question her health or hunger strike based on a social media post.
Bora had gone viral on social media following the police lathicharge and clashes at Jantar Mantar on July 20th. Her speech stating that “our injuries will bear witness to the violence; everything will be remembered" had gone viral.
She has also stated that she would arrive in Patna to meet the students detained in Beur Jail. The protest in Patna had turned violent, with many students ending up behind bars. "I will meet the protesters who were lathi-charged by the police and imprisoned, adding that as per the agreement reached in Delhi, every student should be released.
