All India Students’ Association (AISA) President Neha Bora has refused to sign a peace bond despite the Delhi High Court dismissing her plea against a police notice requiring her to furnish a personal bond of ₹10,000 with one surety. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Bora questioned the basis of the notice, asking why she was being asked to “keep the peace” when she had only participated in peaceful democratic protests. She maintained that raising questions before the government and expressing dissent are fundamental rights protected in a democracy and should not be treated as threats to public order.

The notice was issued by Delhi Police on October 17 under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing Bora to appear before a Special Executive Magistrate and explain why a preventive peace bond should not be imposed. The action came a day after she was detained during the “Lehra Do Tiranga” march, which was organized to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Bora challenged the notice in the Delhi High Court, arguing that it lacked sufficient grounds to establish any likelihood of a breach of peace, but the court dismissed her petition.

Addressing the media, Bora reiterated that peaceful demonstrations and criticism of the government are essential features of a healthy democracy. She argued that preventive legal measures should not be used to discourage citizens from exercising their constitutional right to protest or express opposing views. According to Bora, the ongoing campaign over the Election Commission is not only about demanding accountability but also about protecting democratic space and ensuring that peaceful dissent is not portrayed as a threat to law and order.