Rhiya Ahir Defends Protest Stance; Slams Trolls for Questioning Patriotism

Rhiya Ahir, a 27‑year‑old model based in Mumbai, became the face of a recent protest when she stepped in front of a police van at Shivaji Park, holding her arms out to block the vehicle that was transporting detained students. The incident, which took place on a Friday, was captured in a striking image that quickly went viral on social media, drawing attention to the students’ struggle against the Cockroach Janta Party’s agitation over a leaked NEET exam paper.

Ahir had already been present at Shivaji Park the day before the detentions, where she witnessed several protesters being taken away by police. In a video she posted, she urged a female officer to release the students, saying, “It is not something that I am making up. It has actually happened. But I haven't posted it anywhere and I did not take the credit for it.” She added that she was simply there to support the rights of the students and to give their voices a platform.

Following the viral clip, Ahir took to Instagram to thank her followers for the outpouring of support. She also addressed critics who accused her of staging the scene, replying that she had been injured in the knee yet still stood in front of the van. She criticized the backlash, saying, “People are saying I am posing… it is unfortunate how people are saying I am posing in front of the bus. I was hurt in the knee and could not stand but still did.” She urged those who questioned her patriotism to focus on supporting the affected students instead of attacking her.

Ahir’s social media presence is substantial, with over one lakh followers, and she has appeared in music videos, most recently in the song “Dilbara.” Her intervention at Shivaji Park was captured by the Hindustan Times, which reported that she was walking from Kohinoor Square in Dadar toward the park when she noticed the police van filled with detainees. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about student rights and the role of public figures in protest movements.

While some netizens have called her actions “staged,” Ahir remains steadfast in her support for the students, emphasizing that her involvement was spontaneous and driven by a desire to see justice served. She concluded her statements with a plea for people to use their energy to support the students rather than to criticize her, stating, “If you have so much guts to question me and my patriotism towards my country and why I was there… please use your mind and support the students.”