Mumbai: A 27-year-old model, Rhiya Ahir, has emerged as one of the most talked-about faces of the recent student protests in Mumbai after she stood in front of a police van carrying detained demonstrators, demanding their immediate release.
Images and videos of Ahir blocking the police vehicle near Shivaji Park have gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention to her act of protest.
According to Hindustan Times, Rhiya Ahir said she was walking towards Shivaji Park around 4:30 pm when she noticed a police van packed with detained protesters. Believing they were being taken away unnecessarily, she ran towards the vehicle and stood in front of it. Recalling the moment, she said the chants of the protesters compelled her to act, adding that she could not ignore what she was witnessing.
Ahir said she had a heated exchange with police officers, who allegedly told her the detainees would be released after the van had travelled some distance. She questioned the reasoning, asking why they could not be released immediately if that was the intention. According to her, the officers offered little explanation, which she interpreted as an acknowledgment that they had acted incorrectly.
Despite appearing calm, Ahir admitted she was frightened during the confrontation and was "shaking on the inside." She said she remained in front of the van until the police eventually released the detained protesters. After they were let out, several protesters thanked her and shook her hand, with some even jokingly calling her "a baddie."
Reflecting on the incident, Ahir said she acted instinctively because she could not stand by while people were being detained. She said she feared that if the protesters were taken away, they would remain in custody and FIRs would be registered against them. Calling it her responsibility as a citizen, Ahir said she felt she would have failed herself if she had chosen not to intervene.
Sharing the widely circulated story on her Instagram account, Ahir wrote, "Bacchon ko bhar toh liya, ab kahan jaaoge?" (You may have filled the van with the students, but where will you go now?).
Who is Rhiya Ahir?
Rhiya Ahir, also known as Rhiya Ekousiya as per her Instagram account, is an actor, model, entrepreneur, and host. She is known for speaking openly about social and political issues and has built a presence in both the entertainment industry and on social media.
Apart from modelling and acting, Ahir runs her own luxury clothing label, Rhiyasat, where she handcrafts premium garments. She is also passionate about dance and has appeared in several music videos, including "Dilbara," which was released in February 2025.
Ahir has also acted in the short film Didi (Crime and Justice), a social drama set in a remote Indian village. The film follows two documentary filmmakers, Tara and Raghav, as they travel to the village in search of a compelling story for their documentary, uncovering the realities of life and justice in the process.
Social media users widely praised Rhiya Ahir's actions during the Mumbai student protests, describing her as a symbol of courage and civil resistance. Several posts hailed her as a "fearless woman" who stood in front of a police van carrying detained protesters and refused to move despite the tense situation. Many users applauded her determination, with some saying she had shown that "courage can't be bought" and calling her an inspiration.
Her decision to stand in front of a Mumbai Police van during the student protest has now thrust her into the national spotlight, with videos of the incident widely shared online.
