Neha Bora, national president of the All India Students Association (AISA), which is affiliated with the Communist Party of India Marxist–Leninist Liberation (CPI-ML), has been detained by the authorities along with others during the protest in Delhi on 10th October (Saturday). She was also joined by career propagandists Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan.
Dilli Haat becomes our Jantar Mantar! Gyanesh Kumar must go! https://t.co/T33Q8uz4iB
— Neha (@neha_aisa) October 10, 2026
However, other demonstrators surrounded the vehicle to stop its movement. Notably, Bora was seen wearing a red T-shirt with the Jolly Roger symbol of the Straw Hat Pirates from the popular 1997 Japanese manga “One Piece.”
Neha Bora Detained, other Protesters have surrounded the bus to Block https://t.co/icXiM6e6sk
— Hemant Rajaura (@hemantrajora_) October 10, 2026
Earlier, she shared a photograph of herself wearing the T-shirt, captioned “Dilli Haat becomes Jantar Mantar today! See you there!”
It is crucial to emphasise that the symbol, two bones and a hollowed eye skull with a round hat, had become closely linked with demonstrations in Nepal, where protesters were observed displaying it as the nation descended into turmoil and violence. It was even showcased when the Singha Durbar Palace, which housed the country’s Parliament, went up in flames.
In Indonesia, the symbol was displayed on automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and outside residences to exhibit their dissatisfaction with the government which too transformed into severe violence. Protesters angry at the government in the Philippines also raised it during demonstrations, which likewise turned deadly.
Originally, a group of Straw Hat pirates led by their captain Monkey D. Luffy, who oppose tyrannical and corrupt leaders, used the symbol on their flag in the manga, but in recent times, it has been politicised and used in association with violent agitations and overthrowing the government, as witnessed in Nepal. Interestingly, Bikhyat Khatri, who orchestrated the protest movement that swept through Nepal, outlined that it “symbolises aggression and determination to push anything that comes in its way.”
Most importantly, the entire opposition ecosystem has repeatedly highlighted its intention to reproduce the same scenes which unfolded in Bangladesh and Nepal and resulted in the ouster of their respective governments in India with the aim of forcibly removing a democratically elected Modi government.
Hence, the choice by Bora to don that particular T-shirt is no accident, but rather an intentional gesture anchored in serious unrest and strife. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) announced a demonstration in Delhi against India’s election commission and the Modi government. The party has previously been refused authorisation to hold protests at Jantar Mantar. It had violated its own undertaking during the NEET agitation.
Authorities have implemented stringent measures to avert untoward incidents, including the detention of senior party leaders such as Abhijeet Dipke. It is also important to note that CJP’s July march toward Parliament resulted in serious episodes of violence, during which hundreds of police officials became targets of attack and were injured.
