Viral Mumbai model who stopped police van during NEET protest files cyber complaint over online harrasment

MUMBAI: Model Rhiya Yadav, who went viral after stopping a police van carrying protesters during the NEET paper leak protest in Mumbai, has approached the Maharashtra Police cyber cell, alleging that she faced online harassment following the incident.

While many people praised her actions and supported her online, Rhiya claimed that she was also subjected to harassment.

Rhiya said that she had filed an online FIR a few days ago. She later received a call from the cyber cell, following which she visited the Maharashtra Police cyber cell on Monday.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Model Rhiya Yadav Ahir, one of the faces of the protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on July 22, files a Police complaint over social media comments against her.

She says, “We all know whose these people are. I will identify each one of them. When you get a… pic.twitter.com/DmPjKRodme

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2026

“Many will appreciate you and support you, but there are also some who choose to speak against you. Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but no one has the right to degrade someone, malign their reputation, attack their dignity publicly, or make statements suggesting that a person does not have the right to live. I would also like to clarify that the movement we started was not for any political party, religion, or individual. It was for all of us,” she said.

“As a woman, I want to tell others who may be facing similar situations that they are not alone. I am taking this stand to show that I will continue to speak up and stand for what is right,” Rhiya added.

Meet Rhiya Ahir [IG: rhiyaahir]

One fearless young woman stood in front of a police van during the Mumbai student protests, refusing to back down.

Courage can’t be bought. Justice can’t be silenced. Salute to her. pic.twitter.com/c9oAvhQPeq

— زماں (@Delhiite_) July 22, 2026

A 37-day-long agitation culminated in Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigning on Saturday afternoon. What started as a satirical social media account after CJI Surya Kant’s remarks, the Cockroach Janata Party withdrew its protest from Jantar Mantar after receiving assurance from the government over its demands.

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the Council of Ministers amid nationwide protests over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. A usually barren Jantar Mantar protest site witnessed commotion as the youth and students stepped in for the CJP-led protest with creative banners and Gen Z slang.

After more than a week of protest, the movement witnessed new momentum when Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk joined in and became the face of the agitation with his 26-day-long hunger strike. Six student union leaders also carried out a hunger strike alongside Wangchuk. Three of them were reportedly hospitalised, while the other three broke their fast on July 20.

Jantar Mantar attracted large numbers after Delhi Police took Wangchuk to Safdarjung Hospital from the protest site, while he was later shifted to a private hospital in Gurugram on the Delhi High Court’s order. The agitation peaked on July 20 with the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, which was met with police action against protesters. The police action invited criticism from the opposition, while the police maintained that the protest got violent.

The pressure began to increase with nationwide protests after July 20, with many Opposition leaders also stepping in to join the movement. Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI MP P Sandosh, former Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad were amongst the leaders who joined the CJP at Jantar Mantar. (ANI)