A protest against a college fee hike in Rajasthan’s Barmer district took a political turn after student leaders were arrested by police following remarks targeting District Collector Tina Dabi, triggering a sit-in by students inside a police station.

The incident unfolded outside Multanmal Bhikhchand Chhajed Women’s College, where students, along with two leaders linked to the ABVP, were protesting against a fee increase. Police later arrested the two student leaders and took them to the Kotwali police station, citing concerns over public order.

STUDENTS ALLEGE DETENTION OVER REMARK

College students accused the police of acting after one of the student leaders referred to the district collector as a “reel star”, a comment they say was the sole reason behind the detention. Following the arrests, several women students marched to the Kotwali police station and began a sit-in, demanding the immediate release of the student leaders.

Hina Khatri, a student who joined the protest at the police station, defended the remark, questioning why it was being treated as an offence. She argued that the collector frequently appears during cleanliness drives and public campaigns and said students wanted to draw attention to civic issues near the college, including garbage on the main road.

Another student said the comment was made after a teacher referred to Tina Dabi as a role model. She added that the student leader responded by saying their role models were historical figures such as Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Durgavati.

SIT-IN CONTINUES AFTER POLICE ACTION

Students claimed that the police action came only after the protest outside the college ended. They questioned why the student leaders were not arrested during the demonstration itself if the authorities believed there was a law and order issue.

The students warned that the sit-in would continue until the arrested leaders were released, accusing the administration of stifling dissent over a legitimate issue such as rising fees.

COLLECTOR RESPONDS

District Collector Tina Dabi, speaking over the phone, dismissed the controversy, calling the detention a routine measure to maintain law and order. She said officials were subjected to misbehaviour during the protest and police acted to prevent the situation from escalating.

She added that the student leaders were released without any case being registered, signalling an attempt to defuse tensions as protests continued to simmer in the district.

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With inputs from Dinesh Bohra from Rajasthan.