Rhiya Ahir, the Mumbai woman whose video of standing in front of a police van during a student protest went viral, has alleged that she has been subjected to online trolling and harassment following the incident.
Ahir has approached the Maharashtra Police cyber cell seeking action against those allegedly targeting her on social media with abusive comments and personal attacks. She had drawn widespread attention after blocking a police van carrying detained protesters during a demonstration in Mumbai, saying she wanted authorities to clarify the grounds for their detention.
The video of the confrontation sparked widespread debate online, with many praising her act of defiance while others criticised it. Following the viral circulation of the footage, Ahir claimed she became the target of sustained online abuse and sought police intervention to identify those responsible. The incident has reignited discussions on online harassment, freedom of expression and the treatment of individuals who gain public attention through protests and social activism.