AISA chief refuses to sign peace bond over protest curbs

UPDATE - follow-up to Neha Bora refuses to sign peace bond, questions curbs on dissent: All India Students' Association National President Neha Bora refused to sign a peace bond on Saturday, stating that signing it would mean giving up the right to democratic dissent.

Hearing Date And Details

The Special Executive Magistrate court set October 29 as the next date for the hearing. The development comes a day after the Delhi High Court dismissed her petition challenging a police notice.

Protests And Allegations

Ahead of her appearance, Bora stated that using peace bonds to stop protests is an attempt to silence dissent. The notice was issued on October 17 under Section 126 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. It required her to show cause why she should not execute a personal bond of 10,000 rupees with one surety to maintain peace. The AISA also stated that a group of over 50 people gathered outside the Mandir Marg police station and threatened violence while she arrived for the hearing, while police took no action to disperse them.

Wider Agitation

Bora linked this fight to the ongoing protests against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the demand for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. The AISA leader was earlier taken into preventive detention on October 16 during the Lehra Do Tiranga march before being released the next day.

Context

Peace bonds are legal instruments that authorities can use to require individuals to provide a surety and promise to maintain peace during an inquiry. Student groups and political activists often debate their use during public demonstrations and civil disobedience campaigns.