AISA Chief Refuses Peace Bond, Challenges Dissent Curbs

Neha Bora, president of the All India Students' Association, on Saturday declined to sign a peace bond before a special executive magistrate, escalating her dispute with Delhi Police over what she characterises as unjustified restrictions on dissent. The police had issued a notice under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita on October 17, requiring her to appear before a magistrate and provide a personal bond of Rs 10,000 with one surety "for keeping peace for a period of inquiry".

Addressing journalists at the CPI(ML) Liberation Parliamentary office, Bora questioned the premise of the bond requirement itself. "Whose peace am I being asked to keep?" she asked, arguing that peacefully demonstrating on streets constitutes a constitutional right rather than a threat to public order. She contended that raising concerns and asking questions of the government cannot reasonably be construed as disrupting peace.

Bora's refusal comes a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed her petition challenging the police notice. The student leader framed her position as a matter of principle, asserting that compliance with the bond would effectively constitute acceptance of arbitrary curbs on democratic expression. She emphasised that if citizens refrain from questioning government actions, the very foundations of democratic accountability are undermined.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between civil liberties advocates and law enforcement authorities over the application of preventive provisions under India's criminal procedure laws. Student organisations and rights groups have increasingly challenged such measures, arguing they are deployed disproportionately against political activists and protest leaders.