Students call Tina Dabi ‘reel star’ during protests, she reacts: All about the controversy

Ankita Jain,

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IAS officer Tina Dabi, who is currently serving as the District Collector of Barmer, Rajasthan, has emerged as one of the most searched celebrities on Google following the controversy surrounding students’ protest over college fee hike. The issue, which started as a local administrative matter, quickly turned into a national social media debate, drawing reactions online.

The controversy has its roots in protests by students of Maharana Bhupal College Girls College in Barmer, who were opposing the increase in examination fees. As part of their agitation, the students staged a protest and blocked the road, demanding direct talks with the District Collector. A video circulating on social media showed protesters repeatedly calling for a meeting with Tina Dabi, during which she reportedly referred to her as a ‘reel star’, a comment that sparked further backlash.

The situation worsened when an ax handle named ‘National Council for Men’ posted, “Now, this is new. Barmer police arrested students as they allegedly addressed District Collector IAS Tina Dabi as reel star. Why can’t we address a Reelbaaz officer as reel star?”

The post caught fire, leading to allegations that the students were detained merely for their comments against the district collector. However, the district administration and police officials have vehemently denied these claims.

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Clarifying her position, Tina Dabi told ThePrint that this matter is not within the purview of the district administration.

Dabi said, “There was no need for DM’s intervention on this issue.” He said that officials have already taken action on this matter.

“The tehsildar and additional district magistrate (ADM) had already spoken to the students, facilitated talks between them and the university administration, and they were assured by the vice-chancellor that the fee hike would be rolled back.”

According to Dabi, despite assurances from the university authorities, the students continued to press for a personal meeting with him.

“The SDM and the tehsildar had gone to assure the students that the matter had been resolved by the vice-chancellor, but they remained adamant that I should meet them. Then the students were taken to the police station for discussion as they were blocking the road.”

Meanwhile, police officials rejected the claims of detention and said no arrests had been made. He described the episode as “an attempt by notorious students who wanted to create a buzz on social media through this incident.”

Tina Dabi, a 2015 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, has been in the public eye since topping the UPSC exam. Her strong social media presence and high-profile career have often made her the subject of intense public scrutiny.

India News