Not our role model, she is a reel star: Protesting students detained over remarks on collector Tina Dabi in Rajasthan
The controversy began when students protesting outside a women's college in Barmer over an alleged threefold increase in fees said that the "collector madam is not our role model, she is a reel star". The remark, made during the protest, triggered a backlash and led police to detain student leaders associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
New Delhi: A protest against a college fee hike in Rajasthan's Barmer district escalated into a law-and-order situation after student leaders were briefly detained for calling district collector Tina Dabi as "reel star".
The controversy began when students protesting outside a women's college in Barmer over an alleged threefold increase in fees said that the "collector madam is not our role model, she is a reel star". The remark, made during the protest, triggered a backlash and led police to detain student leaders associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
'Tina Dabi not a role model'
According to reports, the protest was underway outside Multanmal Bhikhchand Chhajed Women's College when the ADM and SDM reached the spot to pacify the students. During the interaction, the SDM referred to the district collector as a role model, which prompted students to counter that she was a "reel star" and alleged that she appeared mainly for public campaigns but not to address student grievances. The students said their role models were historical figures such as Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Lakshmibai.
Police then detained two student leaders and took them to Barmer Kotwali police station, citing concerns over public order. Following this, dozens of women students marched to the police station and staged a sit-in, demanding the immediate release of the leaders and accusing the administration of suppressing dissent over a legitimate issue.
Dabi terms detentions routine measure
Barmer SP Narendra Singh then reached the spot and sought to calm the students, saying the police had made a mistake in handling the situation. A video of the SP admitting the error later surfaced on social media.
District Collector Tina Dabi, speaking to India Today, downplayed the controversy, describing the detentions as a routine measure to maintain law and order. She said officials had faced misbehaviour during the protest and police intervened to prevent escalation. She added that the detained student leaders were later released without any case being registered.