Barmer Students Arrested Over Remark on District Collector Tina Dabi During Fee Protest; Sit-In Ensues at Police Station

Barmer, December 22: A protest against a college fee hike in Barmer district, Rajasthan, turned into a political controversy after student leaders were arrested by police over remarks made about District Collector Tina Dabi. The arrests prompted a sit-in by women students at the Kotwali police station, raising questions about freedom of expression, civic concerns, and law-and-order management in the area. The incident began outside Multanmal Bhikhchand Chhajed Women’s College, where students had gathered to voice their opposition to a recent increase in college fees. Among the demonstrators were two student leaders associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), who were later taken into custody by the police. Authorities cited maintenance of public order as the reason for the arrests, stating that the demonstration could escalate tensions if left unchecked. Students, however, alleged that the detention was triggered solely by a comment made by one of the leaders, who referred to District Collector Tina Dabi as a “reel star.” They claimed that the remark was made in a light-hearted context and argued that it should not have led to any punitive action. According to students, the comment was a reaction to a teacher praising Tina Dabi as a role model. In response, the student reportedly highlighted historical figures like Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Durgavati as their own role models, adding a cultural and historical context to their statement. Following the arrests, a group of women students marched to the Kotwali police station and initiated a sit-in demanding the immediate release of the detained leaders. They argued that their protest was intended to highlight local civic issues, including garbage accumulation on the main road near the college, and not to disrespect any official. Hina Khatri, one of the participating students, questioned why such a remark was treated as an offence when the administration regularly interacts with the public during cleanliness drives and other campaigns. The students also raised concerns about the timing of the arrests, noting that police action came only after the protest outside the college had ended. They claimed that if the authorities believed the demonstration posed a law-and-order challenge, the leaders should have been detained during the protest itself. Students warned that the sit-in would continue until their peers were released, accusing the administration of suppressing dissent on legitimate matters like rising college fees. Responding to the controversy, District Collector Tina Dabi stated over the phone that the arrests were routine measures aimed at maintaining law and order. She added that officials had faced misbehaviour during the protest, prompting police intervention to prevent escalation. The Collector confirmed that the student leaders were released without any case being registered, an attempt to ease tensions while protests continued to simmer in the district. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between student activism, administrative authority, and civic issues in Barmer. While the fee hike remains a matter of concern for students, the reaction of authorities has sparked wider debate about the limits of expression, administrative response, and the role of law enforcement in handling peaceful protests. The unfolding sit-in at the Kotwali police station continues to draw attention from local residents, political observers, and education stakeholders, with many calling for dialogue between students and authorities to resolve the dispute amicably. Barmer Students Arrested Over Remark on District Collector Tina Dabi During Fee Protest; Sit-In Ensues at Police Station A protest against a college fee hike in Barmer, Rajasthan, turned into a heated controversy after student leaders were arrested over remarks made about District Collector Tina Dabi. The arrests led women students to stage a sit-in at Kotwali police station, demanding the release of their peers and drawing attention to local civic issues. The protest began outside Multanmal Bhikhchand Chhajed Women’s College, where students, including two leaders linked to ABVP, were opposing a rise in college fees. Police later detained the student leaders, citing concerns about public order. Students, however, alleged that the arrests were triggered by a comment calling the Collector a “reel star,” made in a light-hearted context. One student explained the remark was in response to a teacher praising Tina Dabi as a role model, while the student pointed to historical figures like Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Durgavati as inspirations. Following the arrests, women students marched to the Kotwali police station and began a sit-in, insisting that the detention was unfair. Protesters said their intention was to raise civic concerns, including garbage accumulation near the college, and questioned why authorities acted after the protest ended rather than during it. Hina Khatri, a student participant, defended the remark, asking why it was treated as an offence when the Collector regularly engages in public campaigns. District Collector Tina Dabi said the police action was a routine measure to maintain law and order. She mentioned that officials had faced misbehaviour during the protest and confirmed that the student leaders were released without any case being filed, aiming to ease tensions. The incident has sparked wider debate about student activism, freedom of expression, and administrative response to peaceful protests. The sit-in continues, with students calling for dialogue with authorities and urging attention to local issues, while the administration seeks to maintain calm in the district.