Mumbai: A photograph of a woman in a grey hoodie standing in front of a police van during heavy rain has emerged as one of the defining images of the ongoing protests in Mumbai held in solidarity with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action against demonstrators in Delhi.
The image, which has gone viral on social media, captured the woman attempting to stop a police vehicle carrying detained protesters as demonstrations intensified across the city on Wednesday.
Protests gain momentum across Mumbai
The protests gathered pace as students, activists and political workers marched through rain-soaked streets, expressing solidarity with demonstrators involved in the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march in Delhi.
Participants raised slogans demanding accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and criticised the police action taken against protesters in the national capital.
During one of the demonstrations, traffic briefly came to a standstill after a woman positioned herself in front of a police van transporting detained protesters.
Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media, making the woman one of the most recognisable faces of the Mumbai demonstrations.
Woman questions police action
Speaking to reporters at the protest site, the woman said she respected the role of the police but questioned the manner in which the force handled the protests.
She stated that while police officers were performing their duties, they also had a responsibility to ensure that those duties were carried out fairly.
The woman said she had joined the protest not because she was personally affected by the issues being raised but because she believed the treatment of students during the protests in Delhi was unjust.
She also questioned why Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had not met protesting students if they were not allowed to march towards Parliament.
The woman was later identified as Rhiya, an actor, model and entrepreneur.
Videos of protest circulate online
Another video from the demonstrations also gained significant attention online.
The footage appeared to show a group of protesters running behind a police van and opening its rear door from outside, allowing detained demonstrators to leave the vehicle while it was moving.
The videos have been widely shared across social media platforms and have fuelled public discussion over the handling of the protests.
Police register cases
Mumbai Police said that no permission had been granted for demonstrations at locations including Shivaji Park, Chaityabhoomi, Chembur and Shiv Sena Bhavan.
Officials stated that 13 FIRs have been registered since July 18 in connection with the protests.
Around 400 people have reportedly been booked on charges including unlawful assembly and violation of prohibitory orders.
Police said further investigations into the incidents are continuing.
Public support seen during demonstrations
Several other videos circulating online highlighted moments of support from local residents.
One clip showed elderly residents applauding protesters from the balconies of nearby residential buildings as demonstrators marched through the rain.
Another video, reportedly recorded in Dadar, showed protesters briefly halting their march to allow schoolchildren to safely board their school bus before resuming the demonstration.
These visuals were widely shared as examples of peaceful conduct by sections of the protesters during the demonstrations.
Prohibitory orders imposed
In view of the continuing protests, Mumbai Police have imposed prohibitory orders across the city from July 23 to August 6.
The restrictions prohibit gatherings of five or more persons in public places.
Authorities said the measures were introduced to prevent possible disturbances to public order and maintain peace as demonstrations continue across the city.
The protests form part of a wider nationwide movement demanding accountability over the alleged NEET examination irregularities and the police action taken against demonstrators in Delhi.