IAS Officer Tina Dabi, who is the current District Collector of Barmer, Rajasthan, recently went viral after a video featuring her alongside BJP leader Satish Poonia surfaced online. In the video, the 2015 UPSC topper was seen bowing her head "five times in seven seconds" as a gesture of respect towards the leader, who praised her for the cleanliness drive in Barmer.
Now, old videos of her making surprise visits to the shops in the city have resurfaced on social media and netizens are drawing parallels between her behaviour with the BJP leader and with the ordinary shopkeepers, whom she was seen reprimanding and "threatening" during the cleanliness drive.
As part of the "Navo Barmer" initiative launched by her to make the city cleaner, Tina Dabi conducted multiple surprise inspections at the Kisan Market and other areas, to check on the cleanliness. In several videos shared on X, she was seen giving stern warnings to shopkeepers to comply with the cleanliness rules, educating them about the importance of maintaining hygiene. In some videos, she was even seen threatening them with fines and shop closures for those who did not adhere to the regulations and failed to cooperate.
On the contrary, the recent video of her bowing multiple times before the BJP leader received mixed reactions from the viewers. While some lauded her for her humility, others expressed concern over the incident suggesting that it can "undermine the independence of civil servants" and that parents must educate their children to become IAS but with a "straight spine".
Following this, a social media user on Thursday shared Tina Dabi's videos from both the instances comparing the difference in her behaviour. "We are become a failed state here..District Magistrate behaviour towards small shopkeepers for her own reels. District Magistrate behaviour towards politicians. She is approx 5 times bow down in front of Satish Poonia," the caption of the post read.
Internet Slams Tina Dabi For 'Misusing Power' As Old Video From Barmer Resurfaces
Netizens also engaged in another debate as a social media user posted an old video of Dabi from the cleanliness drive. The X user named 'Nalini Unagar' hit out at the IAS officer for "threatening the shop owner" with shutting down his business.
"Under IPC Section 503, such threats without a legal basis are not allowed. Municipal authorities can fine for not following rules but cannot threaten to close a shop. This could be considered a misuse of power," the X user wrote.
The internet stood divided on the video with some supporting Tina Dabi for handling the issue strictly, while others slamming her for "misusing power".
"This is indeed a serious misuse of power. Government officials must act within the framework of the law, and such threats undermine public trust in the system. If a violation is found, the appropriate legal actions should be taken, as there are clear guidelines on what authorities can and cannot do," a social media user commented, criticising Dabi.
Another user asked authorities to take disciplinary action against her for issuing threats to the shopkeeper.
'Tina Dabi should refrain from misusing her power. If there is a violation of rules, a fine can be imposed, but threatening someone or shutting down a business is not only wrong but also an abuse of administrative authority. This should serve as a reminder that no one should misuse their power in such a manner," another netizen commented.
Some social media users, on the other hand, said that Tina Dabi was doing a great done and that "Indians don't understand without fines".
"Not justifying the IAS officer threatening the shop owner but curious to know ....is it a small issue not keeping your surroundings clean, take care of hygiene. Is it a small issue in other countries also.....like US, UK, Singapore?" an X user said.