Indian model and student protester Riya Ahir, who went viral after standing in front of a police van during the Coackroach Janata Party (CJP) student protest, has alleged that she has been harassed and abused online by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters.
Speaking alongside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at a press conference, Rhiya said that she did not want to be remembered simply as “the viral girl”, but as someone who tried to stop the unlawful detention of students during the protest.
“I want people to remember me as the girl who prevented 20 students from being illegally detained, not just the girl who stopped a police van,” she said, urging the media to change its narrative.
Rhiya Ahir claimed the backlash she faced had gone beyond online trolling, alleging that supporters of the BJP had circulated abusive and defamatory content about her on social media.
“I would not call this trolling because it is not trolling, it is a crime,” she said.
According to Rhiya, some social media posts falsely accused her of selling her body, which she described as deeply offensive and reflective of “the filth in their minds.”
She further alleged that despite filing a complaint on July 27, police had yet to register a First Information Report (FIR).
“They neither allow daughters to study nor allow daughters to live in peace,” she said.
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Who is Rhiya Ahir?
Rhiya Ahir, a 27-year-old model, actor, entrepreneur, and social media personality, became the face of the CJP-led student protests in India after a video of her blocking a Mumbai Police van carrying detained protesters went viral.
The incident took place near Shivaji Park in Mumbai during a solidarity protest against alleged police action during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march over examination irregularities.
According to Ahir, she was walking towards the protest when she noticed a police van transporting detained students. Believing they were being taken away without justification, she rushed in front of the vehicle and refused to let it move.
“I couldn’t help myself. Their chants pulled me towards them,” Ahir said, adding that she feared the students could be formally detained and face criminal charges if they were taken away.
She claimed police officers told her the detainees would be released after the van had travelled some distance, but she rejected the explanation, insisting they should be freed immediately.
Videos circulating on social media showed Ahir standing firmly in front of the police vehicle, while another bystander reportedly unlocked the van, allowing the detained students to leave.
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