A man threw ink at All India Students’ Association president Neha Bora during a protest march to the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Friday (August 7, 2026) over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in the State, accusing her of being “anti-national”. He has been detained, the police said.

The incident occurred near Birsa Chowk when the protesters led by two students’ organisations — AISA and AISF — were marching towards the Assembly.

Speaking to the media while being taken away, the man said he does not like Ms. Bora because she is a “supporter of Umar Khalid.”

“I don’t like her. She is an anti-national,” he added.

Reacting to the incident, Ms. Bora said, “I am not going to be scared by throwing of ink. On July 20, we faced faced pellet-gun fire and baton charge during the Delhi protest. In comparison, this normal ink is nothing”

“We were holding a peaceful march. A man suddenly emerged out of the crowd and threw ink at Neha,” said Shivani, an AISA leader. She alleged that the man was a BJP-aided goon.

On support to students’ agitation in Jharkhand

Addressing the gathering following the incident, Ms. Bora extended support to the agitating students in Jharkhand over “irregularities” in the State exams. “Whenever a paper leak occurs, the responsibility cannot simply be passed on to private agencies. The concerned government authorities must be held accountable,” she said.

The protest against the alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in Jharkhand entered its 14th day on Friday (August 7, 2026).

The protest, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, emerged as one of the biggest student-led movements in the State in recent years.

“We have formed an 11-member delegation, comprising eight students, two experts and an advocate, in response to the government’s offer to hold talks in connection with the stir,” said an office bearer of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.

With PTI, ANI inputs

Published - August 07, 2026 03:51 pm IST