Rhiya Ahir Seeks Police Action Over Social Media Threats

Model and NEET protester Rhiya Ahir has approached senior Mumbai Police officials seeking withdrawal of the FIR registered against her and action against people allegedly threatening her on social media.

Ahir, who came into the spotlight after allegedly stopping a police vehicle during a protest at Shivaji Park, Dadar over the alleged NEET paper leak, met Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Manoj Sharma along with a delegation of Mumbai Youth Congress leaders.

The delegation raised concerns over the case registered against Ahir as well as the alleged online harassment she has been facing since the protest. According to Youth Congress leaders, Sharma assured them that the process to withdraw the FIR would be initiated and that the police would look into the social media accounts allegedly involved in sending threats and abusive messages to Ahir.

Speaking after the meeting, Ahir alleged that she has been subjected to a barrage of offensive comments and threats on social media since the protest. She said she had already approached the police with a complaint but claimed that no concrete action had been taken so far.

The delegation included Youth Congress National Secretary Hargun Singh and Mumbai Youth Congress President Zeenat Shabreen. Singh questioned the delay in withdrawing the cases against students who participated in the protest, stating that a notification regarding the withdrawal of such cases had already been issued.

Ahir also raised the issue of Muskaan, a 19-year-old protest participant, who allegedly has been receiving similar abusive comments and threats on social media following the demonstration. Shabreen said the young women were allegedly being targeted for expressing their views and demanded swift police action against the social media accounts involved in the alleged harassment and intimidation.

The case dates back to a protest in Mumbai over the alleged NEET paper leak, during which Ahir allegedly stopped a police vehicle, resulting in a case being registered against her and other protesters.

The latest development has brought renewed attention to the issues of protest rights, online threats and police action. The Mumbai Police's response to Ahir's complaint will be closely watched, as it sets a precedent for how the authorities handle online harassment and intimidation of protesters.

In a city like Mumbai, where protests and demonstrations are a regular occurrence, it is essential for the police to ensure that protesters' rights are protected and that they are not subjected to online harassment and intimidation. The Mumbai Police must take concrete steps to address Ahir's complaint and ensure that those responsible for the online threats are held accountable.

The incident also highlights the need for greater awareness and education about online harassment and intimidation, and the importance of protecting protesters' rights in a democratic society. As the city's authorities navigate this complex issue, they must balance the need to maintain law and order with the need to protect the rights of protesters and ensure that they are not subjected to online harassment and intimidation.