Mumbai Model Riya Ahir Seeks FIR Withdrawal, Action Against Online Threats After Gen Z Protest
Mumbai : Model Riya Ahir, who gained attention after a video of her stopping a police van during a Gen Z-led protest in Mumbai went viral, has now approached the Mumbai Police seeking withdrawal of the FIR registered against her.
Ahir also wants police to take action against people who have allegedly been sending her abusive and threatening messages on social media following the protest.
A delegation from the Mumbai Youth Congress accompanied Ahir to the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s Office, where they met Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Manoj Sharma. During the meeting, the delegation raised concerns over both the FIR and the alleged online harassment faced by Ahir.
Ahir Seeks Relief From FIR
According to Youth Congress leaders, police officials assured the delegation that the process for withdrawing the FIR would be initiated soon. The matter comes amid demands for withdrawal of cases registered against students who participated in the Mumbai protests.
Ahir became widely known after footage of her standing in front of a police vehicle during the protest circulated on social media. While the incident drew support from some people, she said it also led to a wave of criticism, abusive comments and threats online.
Model Says Online Abuse Has Gone Too Far
Speaking after meeting the police, Ahir said she had already complained about the alleged threats but felt that sufficient action had not been taken.
She said that people were free to disagree with her views or actions, but that did not give anyone the right to abuse, threaten or publicly humiliate her. She had earlier approached the Maharashtra Police cyber cell regarding the alleged online harassment.
Ahir said she was initially contacted by the cyber cell after filing an online complaint on July 27 and later visited the cyber cell in person.
Youth Congress Demands Police Action
Youth Congress leaders accompanying Ahir also urged police to investigate the social media accounts allegedly involved in threatening and harassing women who participated in the protests.
Mumbai Youth Congress president Zeenat Shabreen said young women should not be targeted simply for expressing their views. She also highlighted the case of 19-year-old Muskan, another protest participant who, according to Ahir, has faced similar online abuse and threats.
Youth Congress national secretary Hargun Singh also questioned the delay in withdrawing FIRs against students, pointing out that a notification regarding the withdrawal of cases had already been issued.
Ahir Says Protest Was For Everyone
Ahir maintained that the protest was not linked to any particular political party, religion or individual. She described it as a movement intended to represent young people and said that differences of opinion should not turn into personal attacks or online intimidation.
The police are now expected to examine the complaints regarding the alleged threats while the process concerning the FIR against Ahir is also being pursued.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
