Woman interrupts Mumbai police van during CJP protest over Delhi student issues; claims authorities handled arrest differently than in capital. Breaking News | Times of India
Rhiya Ahir halted a police van for 40 minutes during a CJP protest in Mumbai, alleging Delhi-style enforcement contrasted with local authorities. Her actions sparked discussions on student activism and police conduct.
CJP Protest, Mumbai, Delhi, Law Enforcement, Student Activism, Police Intervention, Urban News, Social Justice
MUMBAI: A woman identified as Rhiya Ahir halted a moving police van in Mumbai for nearly 40 minutes during a CJP protest, alleging “Mumbai ki police, Delhi ki police jaisi nahi hai.” The incident, reported by Times of India on July 24, 2026, unfolded as authorities transported detained protesters from a demonstration over alleged examination irregularities and police crackdowns in Delhi.
Dressed in a rain-soaked grey hoodie, Rhiya stood with her arms extended across the van’s path, refusing to let it proceed. “I thought they might drag me away too, but then I looked around and realized there wasn’t even any space left, so where would they have kept me?” she said. Her defiance forced the van to stop, though police eventually resumed movement after negotiations.
Rhiya admitted feeling terrified post-incident, unable to sleep until 5:30 am. “I was definitely worried about my family. But when I told them that the police might come, they simply said, ‘So what? We’ll handle it. We’ll get through it,’” she added. Family support, she said, fueled her resolve: “When you have such a courageous and supportive family — one that stands up for what is right and speaks against what is wrong — it gives you immense strength.”
She stressed neutrality in activism, rejecting political alignment. “If a march is being held for the rights of students, it should be seen as a students’ movement, not as something belonging to one political party or another,” she said. Rhiya urged fellow protesters to contact her for legal aid. “If any student faces any issues during the protest, please call me or get in touch with me. I have lawyers who can help.”
The protest in Mumbai mirrored tensions in Delhi, where CJP leaders faced clashes and heckling during Jantar Mantar demonstrations. While authorities in both cities managed arrests, Rhiya claimed differences existed. “Delhi police used force, but Mumbai’s approach shifted,” she said, though no official statistics supported this.
Authorities in Mumbai have yet to comment on Rhiya’s claims. The CJP, which opposes alleged academic fraud, has not issued a formal statement regarding the protester. Meanwhile, Rhiya’s protest has drawn attention to cross-city activism dynamics and police accountability.
A link to Breaking News highlights regional variations in law enforcement responses.
The coming days may reveal whether other cities adopt similar strategies in handling protester movements.
