Barmer Collector Tina Dabi found herself unexpectedly at the heart of a student protest on Sunday, as agitating students from a local college demanded a meeting with her and used the term "reel star" in reference to her prominent social media profile. The controversy stemmed from a sit-in demonstration against an increase in examination fees at Maharana Bhupal College (MBC) Girls College in Barmer, Rajasthan.
Protest Escalation and 'Reel Star' Remark
According to videos circulating from the protest site, the students were adamant about meeting District Collector Tina Dabi to voice their grievances regarding the fee hike. The situation reportedly intensified when some protesters referred to Dabi as a "reel star," a comment seen as a dig at her active and popular presence on social media platforms. This remark added a personal dimension to the otherwise administrative issue.
The students refused to call off their demonstration and continued to insist on a meeting with the Collector. This led to a heated exchange with the police personnel present at the site. While unverified claims on social media suggested that four students were taken into custody, both the police and the district administration firmly denied any detentions.
Administration's Stance and Resolution
Clarifying her position, Collector Tina Dabi stated that the matter of fee revision was solely between the students and the University of Jodhpur, with the district administration having no direct role in the decision. "The university vice-chancellor later assured the students that the hike would be rolled back, but the protesters insisted on meeting me," Dabi told The Indian Express.
She explained that despite the Vice-Chancellor's assurance to revoke the increased fees, the protestors were not satisfied. "The SDM and tehsildar went to assure the students that the matter had been resolved by the vice-chancellor, but they continued to insist that I should meet them," Dabi added. As the protestors were blocking the road, they were subsequently taken to the police station for discussions to clear the obstruction.
Police Deny Detentions, Blame Social Media Buzz
Echoing the administration's version, the police also refuted allegations of any detentions. Officials attributed the rumors to what they described as "notorious students who wanted to create social media buzz through this incident." The police maintained that the students were only engaged in a dialogue at the station to resolve the impasse and ensure public order, and no formal arrests were made.
The incident highlights the challenges public figures with significant online followings can face when local administrative issues arise, with their personal brand sometimes becoming intertwined with official disputes. The core issue of the fee hike, however, was reportedly addressed by the university authorities, bringing the primary demand of the protesters to a close.
