Woman who blocked police van during Mumbai protest alleges trolling
Model Rhiya Ahir has filed a police complaint alleging targeted online harassment and deep-fake circulation following her viral protest against a police van in Mumbai. She claims the abuse is part of a coordinated hate campaign against her for her actions during student demonstrations.
Why it matters
The case highlights the growing issue of digital harassment and the weaponization of deep-fake technology against individuals involved in political activism.
Model Rhiya Ahir, who was seen blocking a police van during student protests in Mumbai last week, has approached police alleging online harassment, adding she was being trolled on social media for her act.
In a viral image from the rain-soaked protest at Shivaji Park in Dadar on July 22, Ms. Ahir was seen standing before a police van carrying detained young protesters.
The photo of Ms. Ahir, in a grey hoodie, standing firmly to block the police van, emerged as one of the most striking images from the protests in Mumbai.
In a complaint to cyber police, Ms. Ahir claimed she was the target of deep-fake videos and abusive language on social media after her image blocking the police van went viral.
Ms. Ahir alleged that there was a coordinated online hate campaign involving defamation, manipulated images, misogynistic abuse, criminal intimidation and targeted harassment.
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