Neha Bora says patriotism is knowing how broken India is

Neha Bora, national president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), said on Sunday evening that true patriotism lies in understanding the country’s problems, not in blind celebration. Delivering the 15th Hasan Memorial Lecture at Lamakaan in Hyderabad, she said: “To be truly in love with this country is to know how broken it is.” The venue was packed with listeners across generations, and many stood outside to hear her.

Bora praised student protests in Hyderabad, including those at NALSAR University of Law, where students objected to Chief Justice Surya Kant being invited to their convocation. The Bar Council of India briefly froze enrolments of the 2026 batch before reversing the decision and apologising. She also named Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Varavara Rao, GN Saibaba and Stan Swamy as political prisoners, and called for the repeal of laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Bora argued that those who condemn protesters do not understand patriotism, pointing to the spirit of Bhagat Singh and Ashfaqulla Khan. The lecture, titled “Young India speaks: Jantar Mantar and the way forward,” came three weeks after the NEET paper leak protest, during which Bora spent 23 days on hunger strike at Jantar Mantar.