While the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) grabbed the headlines during the NEET-UG protest, AISA activists led by national president Neha Bora also emerged as prominent faces of the movement. They fasted, addressed gatherings, posted viral social media reels and, after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned on July 25, celebrated by dancing to songs from Dil Se.
Neha, a PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s School of Arts and Aesthetics and a theatre artist, observed a 23-day fast, losing around 7.5 kg. Throughout the protest, she used Instagram reels and dark humour to highlight issues surrounding the movement, often criticising the government’s handling of exam irregularities.
Alongside Neha, AISA activists Aameen Amitoj and Manish Kumar also went on a prolonged hunger strike. Aameen, a PhD scholar at Ambedkar University, drew parallels between the protest and the 2020-21 farmers’ agitation, while Manish, AISA’s Uttar Pradesh president, lost more than 10 kg during the fast but remained largely away from the spotlight.
The trio ended their fast after appeals from leaders and activists, including Manoj Jha, Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, Prakash Raj and Shabana Azmi.
Neha later said Pradhan’s resignation was only the beginning, arguing that the protest was about systemic reforms rather than the exit of a single minister. AISA has since reiterated its long-standing demands, including scrapping the National Testing Agency (NTA), withdrawing the National Education Policy (NEP) and dropping cases against protesters.
Reflecting on the movement, Neha said the struggle had begun long before the CJP was formed, adding that the protest should be remembered as the start of a larger movement for accountability.
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