India
oi-Gaurav Sharma
The students’ protest has now reached almost every state. The demand for a better education system in country has gained a lot of support from people of every generation. During the Mumbai protest, a woman blocked a police van carrying detained students.
The picture went viral in no time, and people started comparing her with the “Tank Man’s Tiananmen Square” moment.
During student protests demanding educational reforms, Mumbai protester Riya Ahir blocked a police van carrying detainees, drawing comparisons to the 1989 Tiananmen Square Tank Man incident for her act of defiance.
In 1989, China saw massive numbers of students and pro-democracy protesters taking a stand against the erstwhile government; many people were arrested and gunned down in Beijing. However, a man in a white shirt and dark trousers carrying shopping bags stood still in front of tank. The iconic photo later became the history and a symbol of taking the government head on. It was named as “Tiananmen Square Moment,” and the man was titled as “The Tank Man”.
Who Was The Brave Woman?
The woman protester was Riya Ahir, who stood in front of the police van after Mumbai Police detained demonstrators.
Speaking to the media, Riya Ahir said, “I was going to the protest, when the protest came to me’. I didn’t think of anything in that moment, I just jumped in front of the van. I just knew that I had to make my voice heard and use my body to let the police know this was not right. So, I just stood in front of the van and held my arm out, and told them to stop.”
This was exactly like the Tank Man, who was holding shopping bags in his hand.
Social Media Reactions To Viral Video:
After the video went viral, netizens called the woman’s act brave, adding This is Ending the Narrative Of Rulling Party”
Another user said, “The tank man knew blocking tanks means death, and this woman did the same”.
It was bomb vs brains, said one more X user.
