Barmer Fee Hike Protest Escalates, Student Leaders Detained

A protest against a steep fee hike at Multanmal Bhikhchand Chhajed Women's College in Rajasthan's Barmer district escalated after police detained two student leaders over remarks made about District Collector Tina Dabi. Students, along with ABVP-linked leaders, were protesting a nearly threefold increase in examination fees on December 20. The situation intensified after protesters allegedly referred to the Collector as a "reel star," following which detentions were made, prompting a sit-in protest inside the police station and triggering a wider controversy.