Being slut-shamed online: Mumbai model who blocked police van files complaint

Mumbai model Rhiya Ahir has filed a complaint alleging an online hate campaign after going viral during the NEET protest at Shivaji Park. She claims doctored posts and abuse targeted her and her family.

In Short

• Rhiya Ahir faced online hate after NEET protest video went viral
• She alleges coordinated defamation using old photos
• Ahir blocked police van to demand release of detained protesters

Rhiya Ahir, a Mumbai-based model who went viral after standing in front of a police van carrying protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) agitation over the NEET paper leak, has filed a complaint alleging a sustained online hate campaign against her.

In her complaint, the 27-year-old alleged that the abuse she has been facing goes far beyond criticism of her participation in the protest and is part of a coordinated attempt to malign her reputation.

Old photographs and social media posts from her modelling days have been manipulated and circulated online to slut-shame her and target members of her family, she claimed.

Following the registration of her complaint, Ahir said she was contacted by police officials and is now expected to meet Maharashtra Cyber Cell authorities to pursue the matter further.

In the now-viral video, Ahir is seen refusing to move from the path of the Mumbai Police van at Shivaji Park, forcing it to remain stationary until the detained protesters were released.

Speaking to India Today TV last week, the model said she had joined the protest over the NEET paper leak controversy but did not know any of the people inside the police vehicle.

She said she decided to intervene after seeing protesters, including women, packed inside the van.

"I saw people stuffed inside the van. I tried to pull a woman out, but the police stopped me. So I stood in front of the vehicle and demanded that they be released," she had said.

She also alleged that the driver repeatedly revved the engine in an attempt to intimidate her, but she held her ground as other protesters gathered around the vehicle in support.

Ahir said she never expected to become one of the most recognisable faces of the NEET protest movement, insisting that her actions were a spontaneous response to seeing fellow protesters being taken away by the police.

- Ends