Priyanka Chaturvedi Slams ‘Intolerance’ Over Tina Dabi Row

• Priyanka Chaturvedi criticises detention of student leaders in Barmer
• Students were protesting college fee hike outside a women’s college
• Controversy erupted after District Collector Tina Dabi was called a “reel star”
• Administration says detentions were routine to maintain law and order

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Dec: Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has strongly criticised the detention of student leaders in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, linking the police action to what she termed growing “intolerance” within the bureaucracy.

The reaction came after students protesting a college fee hike were taken into custody following an alleged remark in which Barmer District Collector Tina Dabi was referred to as a “reel star”. Sharing her views on social media, Chaturvedi said it was “another day in India where a bureaucrat’s intolerance is on display,” alleging that officials often escape accountability despite misuse of power.

The incident took place outside Multanmal Bhikhchand Chhajed Women’s College in Barmer, where students, along with two leaders associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), were protesting against an increase in college fees. Police later detained the two student leaders, citing concerns over public order.

Students alleged that the detention was triggered solely by the remark targeting the district collector. Following the arrests, several women students gathered at the Kotwali police station and staged a sit-in, demanding the immediate release of the detained leaders.

Responding to the controversy, Tina Dabi dismissed the allegations, stating that the police action was a routine step to maintain law and order. She said officials were misbehaved with during the protest and action was taken to prevent escalation. She also clarified that the student leaders were released without any case being registered, signalling an effort to defuse tensions.

Tina Dabi, a 2016-batch IAS officer, rose to national prominence after securing the first rank in the UPSC civil services examination at the age of 22 and is currently serving as the Barmer district collector.

The episode has triggered a wider political debate in Rajasthan, with opposition leaders questioning administrative sensitivity and the handling of student protests in the state.