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Barmer Collector Tina Dabi. (Photo: Express file | Enhanced using AI)
Barmer Collector Tina Dabi found herself at the centre of a row on Sunday after students protesting a fee hike at a local college demanded to meet her and accused her of being a “reel star”.
The controversy allegedly began during a sit-in against the hike in examination fees at Barmer’s Maharana Bhupal College (MBC) Girls College. According to a video from the protests, students demanded to meet the district collector, Dabi.
The situation allegedly escalated when students called Dabi a “reel star” — alluding to her considerable social media presence. This was allegedly followed by an argument with the police, as the students refused to withdraw the protest and continued to insist on meeting Dabi.
While reports on social media claimed that four students were detained, the police and the administration dismissed these as untrue.
On her part, Dabi said the matter was strictly between the students and the University of Jodhpur, and that the district administration had nothing to do with it.
“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. “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. The students were then taken to the police station for a discussion because they were blocking the road.”
When contacted, the police too said there were no detentions, with officials attributing the allegations to “notorious students who wanted to create social media buzz through this incident”.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions. Expertise and Experience Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public. Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas: Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight. Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women. Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use. Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
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