How do Neha Bora’s AISA and Abhijeet Dipke’s CJP protests differ? | Explained

New Delhi: In the recent wave of protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged large-scale deletions from voter rolls, two names have stood out: Neha Bora of AISA and Abhijeet Dipke of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Both groups are on the streets for similar democratic demands, but they come from very different backgrounds. Here is a clear look at what each stands for and how their protests differ.

What is AISA and who does Neha Bora represent?

AISA stands for the All India Students’ Association. It is the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, often called CPI(ML) Liberation. It was formed in 1990 and has a long history of organised campus politics across universities in India. It focuses on issues like affordable education, student rights, social justice, opposition to policies it sees as anti-democratic and broader left-wing causes in general. Its members are typically active in colleges and universities, using structured campaigns, hunger strikes and street protests. AISA follows a clear ideological line rooted in left politics.

Neha Bora is the national president of AISA. A 29-year-old PhD scholar at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Theatre and Performance Studies, Bora. She uses they/them pronouns. They come from Khatima in Uttarakhand. They studied at Delhi University and Ambedkar University before joining JNU. A theatre artist by training, Bora has been involved in student activism for about a decade, rising through AISA’s ranks.

They became widely known during the 2026 protests over exam paper leaks, when they joined a 23-day hunger strike with educationist Sonam Wangchuk that contributed to the resignation of the then Education Minister. In the current protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, which the protesters say deleted over 130 million names, Bora has been a highly visible face, often detained, chased by police and led flash marches. Bora represents AISA and its organised left student politics, not CJP itself.

What is CJP and who is Abhijeet Dipke?

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is a much newer, Gen-Z-driven group started by Abhijeet Dipke. It grew out of online satire after a court remark that used the word “cockroaches.” CJP presents itself as the voice of the “lazy and unemployed,” using memes, rap, poetry, stand-up and social media to mobilise young people on issues like unemployment, exam paper leaks and now electoral integrity. It is less formal and more personality-centred around Dipke than traditional student organisations. CJP first gained traction with large protests over NEET paper leaks and education reforms, which eventually led to the resignation of the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and  later shifted focus to demanding the CEC’s resignation and a halt to the SIR exercise.

Difference between AISA and CJP protests

While both groups currently protest side by side against the same issues of CEC resignation and voter-list revisions, their styles and origins remain distinct. AISA is an established left organisation with a clear Marxist-Leninist framework, strong campus networks and long experience in structured activism, while CJP is a recent, largely social-media-born youth movement that relies on humour, satire, and viral energy rather than formal ideology.

AISA operates through collective leadership and experienced organisers who plan flash protests, use tactical methods, and navigate detentions with practised skill, whereas CJP’s public identity is more closely tied to Dipke and creative cultural performances such as rap, poetry and memes.

Leaders from both sides describe their relationship as a tactical partnership rather than a merger: they share the goal of defending democratic rights but keep their distinct identities, with AISA contributing organisational discipline and student mobilisation experience and CJP bringing Gen-Z reach and creative appeal.

Why protest together?

Their cooperation was visible in the October 16 “Lehra Do Tiranga” mobilisation. CJP and Left student organisations urged supporters to gather at Connaught Place. They were both released today after being detained by the police ahead of the gathering. The Election Commission denies favouring any party, while the BJP rejects allegations of electoral manipulation. AISA and CJP nevertheless share concerns over voting rights and restrictions on demonstrations, providing common ground for joint action despite their different organisational background