'Couldn't sleep that night, first time attending a protest'; From model to poster girl of CJP protest

MUMBAI: A 27-year-old woman captured the nation's attention after standing fearlessly in front of a police truck demanding the release of detained protesters. Rhiya Ahir, an entrepreneur and model, has turned into the poster girl of the CJP protest overnight.

Rhiya said that she could not sleep the night of the incident and was afraid that the police would come looking for her. However, Rhiya says that the support of her family gave her the strength to overcome such mental stress. Rhiya tried to get a woman out of the vehicle when the police stopped her. Rhiya said she had no other option but to stand in front of the vehicle demanding the release of the protesters. Riya added that she had not participated in protests before and that her reaction was natural.

“I was afraid they would come for me too. I was indeed scared last night. I couldn't sleep until 5.30 in the morning. I was definitely worried about my family. But when I told them that the police might come, my family said they were ready to face it. Having a family that fully supports you in standing up for what is right and speaking out against what is wrong is a great strength. Such support gives you the confidence to face any situation," Rhiya told the news agency.

The incident took place during a protest in Delhi in support of the Cockroach Party's protest against the NEET exam irregularities. Despite the pouring rain, Rhiya stood across the police vehicle that was leaving with the detained protesters. She then stopped the vehicle with one hand and started shouting slogans of "Azadi" and the people around her joined in, leaving the police with no choice but to release the protesters.