By MANISH ANAND
Indian Left has been decaying in strength for years, while the media almost lost interests in them. Neha Bora after emerging as the face of the CJP protest seems hinting that she could fill the void in the Indian Left.
New Delhi, July 31, 2026 — For decades, Jawahar Lal University in New Delhi has been a Marxist laboratory. The student politics on the campus nourishes fresh political talents. Some of the Indian Marxist legends trace their roots to the JNU campus.
The Ganga Dhaba has an air of romance. In ₹100, an amount which may not suffice for a cup of tea or a coffee at some place, one can get sumptuous meals, of chicken curry and rice also.
The rough patch laden with left-over remains of the Aravali offers natural resting spaces. Sit over the rocks and discuss politics. That discussion can enter into the early hours of the day.
The air is filled with romance for ideology. The young age makes the students think of revolutionaries. Bolivian revolutionaries enchant the minds more than Russians now.
They discuss deprivation, discrimination, and disadvantages. The young Marxists dissect the tribal issues. The state of forest concerns them. Inhaling deeply, the young comrades think of “State versus the people.”
The JNU campus has delivered another Marxist to the Indian politics. Her name is Neha Bora. She is an incumbent president of the AISA (All India Students’ Association).
In tradition of the JNU campus among the Marxists, Neha Bora keeps her surname away, and she’s writes articles and gives interviews as Neha only.
With her “Sab yaad Rakha jayega” speech at the Jantar Mantar in the aftermath of the police crackdown on the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Neha Bora announced her arrival at the national stage. Earlier, film actor Shabana Azmi showered her affections on fasting Neha Bora to bring media spotlight on the young comrade.
Neha Bora arguably has filled a major void for the Communists in India. She is now a much sought-after face of the student protest for media interviews. Thus, Neha Bora has revived the media interests in the Communist politics.
The mainstream media undeniably had forgotten the Left parties in their coverage. Late Sitaram Yechury, before the Left helped the Congress form a government at the Centre with outside support, used to joke with media persons: “Journalists prefer least to come here as we offer at most only samosa and tea.” But that was a joke only. The true trend was the media’s loss of interest in the Left after the emergence of a powerful BJP in the national politics with Narendra Modi at the helm.
The mainstream trend left a major void for the Left. They lacked a face that will pull the media. This void magnified the losses of the Left and also didn’t gain attention even in magnificent electoral wins in Bihar.
In the frenzy to cover the CJP protest to the last details, the mainstream media is chasing the key actors of the movement. Unlike the CJP spokespersons, who err in their articulations, Neha Bora comes out as an articulate debater.
Her combativeness brings the air of JNU to the television studio and the screens. Her repertoire of arguments is giving her an audience. The Left will, arguably, believe that they have found their next Sitaram Yechury.
(This is an opinion piece. Views expressed are the author’s own.)
‘Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega’: Neha Bora’s Speech Gives Student Protest a New Battle Cry
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