NEW DELHI: An Indian student who drew widespread attention after standing in front of a police van carrying detained students has said she acted out of anger after believing that the police were attempting to silence protesters through the use of force.
According to international media reports, Rhea Iyer, the student seen blocking the police vehicle, said she felt compelled to act when she saw fellow students being taken away.
“The police believed that because they had power, they could silence the students,” Iyer said. “That is what made me angry.”
She added that her actions were not pre-planned and were taken spontaneously in the moment.
“What I did was neither carefully thought out nor planned. I believe anyone in my place would have done the same,” she said.
Media reports stated that when Iyer first stood in front of the police van, she was alone. However, her actions encouraged other people to gather at the scene, after which a crowd formed and prevented the police vehicle from moving forward.
The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has attracted significant public attention and sparked debate over police handling of student protests in India.
Authorities have not immediately issued a detailed response to Iyer’s remarks. The circumstances surrounding the arrests and the protest continue to draw public and media scrutiny.
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