Model Rhiya Ahir has responded after photographs of her from the Mumbai protests went viral across social media.

One image in particular, showing her in a grey hoodie with her arms stretched out in front of a police van, became one of the defining visuals from the demonstrations held in support of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) protest over the alleged NEET paper leak.

On Friday, the 27-year-old took to Instagram to thank people who had reached out with messages of encouragement over the past day. At the same time, she addressed criticism from some social media users who claimed that her actions during the protest were staged.

Rhiya said she had also attended the protest at Shivaji Park the previous day, when several demonstrators were being detained by police. She shared that she was seen requesting a woman police officer to release the students who were being taken into custody.

In the video, she said, "This is not something I have made up. It actually happened. I never posted it anywhere or took credit for it. What happened the day after is something everyone has already seen. Honestly, I never imagined any of this would happen. I was simply there to support our rights because our voices deserve to be heard. We will raise our voices so loudly that the government will have to listen, no matter how much they try to ignore us."

She also responded to accusations that she had posed for photographs during the protest.

"People are saying I was posing in front of the bus. It is upsetting to hear people say such things. I had injured my knee and could barely stand, but I still stood there. If you have enough courage to question me, my patriotism and why I was present there, then please use that same energy to think about the students who have actually been affected. People are saying the bus was empty and that those inside were my friends. They were not my friends. Instead of criticising me, please become a voice for the students and support them. You don't have to support me. I don't want your support or your comments either."

Rhiya Ahir, who is 27 years old, found herself at the centre of public attention after stepping in when she saw protesters being escorted away by police. According to her, she believed the students were being detained without reason and immediately ran towards the police vehicle in an attempt to stop it.