Rhiya Yadav, viral face of NEET protest in Mumbai, files FIR for online harassment: ‘As a woman, I want to….’ | Today’s news
Model Rhiya Yadav, who gained widespread attention after she stood in front of a police van carrying protesters during a demonstration over the NEET paper leak in Mumbai, has approached the cyber cell of the Maharashtra Police alleging that she was subjected to online harassment following the incident.
Although many social media users have praised her actions and expressed support, Rhiya said she has also been the target of abusive and harassing content online.
Rhiya told ANI that she filed an online FIR a few days ago. She added that after receiving a call from the cyber cell, she visited the office of the cyber cell of the Maharashtra police on Monday.
“Many will appreciate and support you, but there are those who will choose to speak against you. Everyone has the right to express their opinion, but no one has the right to humiliate someone, defame them, publicly attack their dignity or make statements suggesting that a person has no right to life. I would also like to make it clear that the movement we started was not for any political party, religion or individual. It was for all of us.
Rhiya added: “As a woman, I want to tell others who may be facing similar situations that they are not alone. I am taking this stand to show that I will continue to speak up and stand up for what is right.”
CJP protest
The 37-day protest campaign ended on Saturday afternoon with the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which started as a satirical social media account inspired by the remarks of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, called off its agitation at Jantar Mantar after the government assured it that its key demands would be addressed.
Pradhan resigned from the Union Council of Ministers amid widespread protests over the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 paper. The usually peaceful site of protests, Jantar Mantar, turned into a hub of activity as students and youth protesters joined the CJP-led movement, carrying funny placards and using Gen Z-style slogans.
The agitation gathered momentum more than a week after it began when Ladakh-based activist Sonam Wangchuk joined the protest. His 26-day hunger strike became a defining feature of the movement and brought wider public attention to the campaign.
Wangchuk was joined on hunger strike by six student union presidents. According to reports, three of them were hospitalized during the protest, while the remaining three ended their fast on July 20.
Crowds swelled at Jantar Mantar after Delhi Police shifted Sonam Wangchuk from the protest site to Safdarjung Hospital. He was later shifted to a private hospital in Gurugram as directed by the Delhi High Court.
The agitation reached its peak on 20 July during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ march, which ended in clashes between protesters and the police. The police action drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, while the Delhi Police claimed that the protesters had turned violent.
After the events of 20 July, the movement gained momentum as demonstrations spread across the country and several opposition leaders extended their support. Among those who joined the CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar were Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat, CPI MP P Sandosh, former Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia and Bhima Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad.
