India
oi-Madhuri Adnal
A woman attempting to stop a police bus at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Thursday has drawn comparisons on social media with model and actor Riya Ahir, after a video of the incident surfaced online.
The woman was seen trying to stop the police bus as it was leaving Jantar Mantar after carrying protesters away from the demonstration site. According to a post shared on X, no female police personnel were present at the spot when the incident took place.
A woman stopping a police bus at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Thursday has been compared online to actor Riya Ahir; Ahir gained prominence in July 2026 after confronting a police van during Mumbai student protests. Details on the recent incident and the woman’s intent remain unconfirmed.
The incident reminded several social media users of Riya Ahir, also known as Rhiya Ekousiya, who came into the spotlight in July 2026 after a video showing her standing in front of a Mumbai Police van carrying detained student protesters went viral.
Riya, a Mumbai-based model, actor, anchor and entrepreneur, became one of the recognisable faces associated with the student protests following the incident. Her actions in front of the police vehicle attracted widespread attention online and brought her a significant increase in visibility.
The latest incident at Jantar Mantar has now prompted users to draw a similar comparison, with some suggesting that the woman was attempting to recreate the kind of confrontation that had previously generated attention on social media. However, there is no independent evidence to establish the woman’s intention or whether the incident was staged for publicity.
🚨 Today, another girl tried to stop a police bus, just like Rhiya Ahir, as it was leaving Jantar Mantar after taking protesters away.
At that time, no female police officers were present there, and she seemed to think she had done something crazy by trying to stop the police… pic.twitter.com/r6gC9I0qbG
— TEJASH 🚩 (@Tejashyy) October 2, 2026
An X post discussing the incident also speculated that the woman could eventually use the attention to build an Instagram following or launch a subscription-based account, referring to Riya’s subsequent social media visibility. The claim remains speculation and has not been independently established.
Riya’s profile extends beyond her association with the protests. The 27-year-old has worked in modelling, acting, anchoring and dance projects and has also appeared in advertisements and independent music videos. She is pursuing an English Literature degree through distance education from the University of Mumbai and has undergone extensive theatre training.
She also founded Rhiyasat, a luxury handcrafted apparel label that works with Indian artisans. Her entertainment work includes the music video Dilbara, released in early 2025.
The Jantar Mantar incident has meanwhile triggered a fresh discussion online over confrontations involving protesters and police vehicles, and the extent to which such moments can generate visibility on social media. Further details about the woman involved in the latest incident and whether police took any action were not immediately available.
