Mumbai Woman Blocks Police Van During NEET Protest, Sparks Debate
A video showing model Rhiya Ahir standing in front of a Mumbai Police van carrying detained protesters during demonstrations against the NEET paper leak has gained widespread attention on social media. The incident occurred at Shivaji Park in Dadar, turning Ahir into a recognisable figure in the ongoing student protest movement.
In the video, Ahir is seen single-handedly blocking the path of a police van with one hand outstretched, while chants against the government’s use of police action are heard in the background. Soon, a crowd gathers behind her, and she joins the chants: “Jab Jab Modi Darta Hay, Police Ko Aage Karta Hay” (roughly translated as “Whenever Modi is afraid, he deploys police”). Wearing a hoodie and cap in the Mumbai rain, Ahir has become a symbol of the protest.
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which organized a march to Parliament on July 20, has been leading protest meetings since its founder Abhijit Dipke returned to India. The CJP shared the video on X with the message, “Our girls are no less than boys,” a reference to a line from the Bollywood film Dangal, which highlights women’s empowerment. The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Solidarity protests have been held across Mumbai over the past few days, including at Shivaji Park, Chembur, Juhu, and Powai, echoing the main demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
In a separate incident, protesters who were being transported in a police van managed to escape after a passer-by opened the rear door of the vehicle. Another viral video purportedly shows a Mumbai Police personnel threatening detained protesters with false FIRs. In the clip, the officer is heard saying: “If I see you here again, there won’t be anyone worse than me. I will directly plant 50 grams of powder in your pockets, and it will ensure you won’t get bail and your life will be ruined. We are facing trouble because of you.”
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray have announced a joint march in Mumbai on July 26 in support of students protesting against the NEET paper leak.
