Model blocks police van at Mumbai protest, becomes viral image

A 27-year-old model named Rhiya Ahir has become a prominent figure in the Mumbai protests against examination irregularities after she courageously blocked a police van carrying detained demonstrators. Ahir, who has a significant following on Instagram and has appeared in music videos, intervened when she witnessed protesters being taken away by the police.

“

I couldn’t help myself. Their chants, they pulled me towards them. I was like, if I’m going for the protest, it starts from here. They’re taking them away, and I cannot let that happen.

Ahir explained that she felt compelled to act because she believed the detainees were being removed without justification. "I couldn’t help myself," she stated. "Their chants, they pulled me towards them. I was like, if I’m going for the protest, it starts from here. They’re taking them away, and I cannot let that happen."

Despite her internal nervousness, captured in a video where she admitted to shaking, Ahir remained resolute in front of the van. She recounted that the police attempted to move the vehicle forward, but she refused to be dislodged. "They tried to accelerate a bit, but that didn’t budge me," she said.

“

When I confronted them, I was shaking on the inside.

Her actions gained widespread attention, with videos of the confrontation circulating online. Ahir stood her ground until the detained protesters were eventually released. Her bold stance has made her a symbol of solidarity for many participating in the ongoing agitation over the NEET paper leak.

“

They tried to accelerate a bit, but that didn’t budge me.