MLA Abhimanyu Poonia Arrested: Shocking Exam-Centre Detention Sparks Protests
MLA Abhimanyu Poonia arrested during an ongoing postgraduate examination at Rajasthan University has stirred political controversy and triggered calls for protests. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia from Sangaria and student leader Nirmal Chaudhary were detained on Saturday (June 21) during their exam, as police entered the exam hall at about 8 AM and escorted both to Gandhinagar police station.
MLA Abhimanyu Poonia Arrest During Exam Sparks Political Storm in Jaipur |
What Happened?
At the Rajasthan University exam center, MLA Abhimanyu Poonia—who was appearing for his postgraduate philosophy paper—was taken into custody mid-exam alongside RU student-union president Nirmal Chaudhary. Videos shared by Poonia on X (formerly Twitter) show officials in action, with Poonia accusing the authorities of cowardice and asserting: “Has raising a common man's voice become a crime under BJP’s brutal regime?”.
Local police stated that Chaudhary was wanted in connection with a prior case filed at Gandhinagar Police Station during his election campaign. When Poonia objected to the arrest of Chaudhary, he too was taken into custody .
Political Fallout & Opposition Response
Congress state president Govind Singh Dotasra denounced the arrests as “undemocratic and utterly disgraceful,” warning that MLA Abhimanyu Poonia arrested in this manner would not go unanswered. He threatened agitational protests if both are not released immediately.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot echoed these sentiments, accusing the BJP of suppressing student voices through unconstitutional means. Both Congress and Rajasthan Youth Congress are now threatening large-scale street protests .
Who Are the Detainees?
Abhimanyu Poonia, MLA from Sangaria (elected December 2023) and President of Rajasthan Youth Congress, previously led the NSUI and has seen success in his rapid political rise . He was actively involved in a recent sit-in protest with RLP MLA Hanuman Beniwal regarding a Udaipur doctor suicide case.
Nirmal Chaudhary, currently serving as Rajasthan University’s Student Union President, was reportedly facing an FIR related to his campaign activities. Official details provided by police are still awaited .
Why the Arrest Matters
The incident raises serious concerns about due process and misuse of speedily executed arrests:
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Detaining individuals mid-exam can disrupt academic fairness and block educational rights.
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Arrests during peaceful political protest or campaign may be perceived as suppression of democratic dissent.
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The timing and method have triggered strong backlash—from social media to ground-level mobilization.
Regulating bodies such as student unions, academic forums, and political opposition have condemned the act as authoritarian. Several students tweeted concerns, asking whether their democratic expression has become a crime under current governance.
Police detain MLA Abhimanyu Poonia and student leader Nirmal Chaudhary inside exam hall at Rajasthan University |
Latest Developments
By evening on June 21, MLA Abhimanyu Poonia had been released and was reportedly on his way home. Meanwhile, Nirmal Chaudhary remains in custody, with protests planned across Jaipur unless both are freed.
An inquiry into the source FIR is pending. The police are expected to brief media once procedural steps are complete. Meanwhile, both detainees‘ legal teams are said to be preparing petitions for immediate release and challenging the legality of the arrests.
Political & Academic Repercussions
The MLA Abhimanyu Poonia arrested episode may ignite:
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Protests across academic institutions and youth political groups
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Questions over political freedom and limits on protest in academic spaces
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Closer scrutiny of law enforcement actions on exam premises
This event closely follows a public demonstration on campus regarding the Udaipur doctor’s death, in which both detainees actively participated.
What’s Next?
If Chaudhary remains in custody, expect sustained protests by Congress and student bodies. The legal battle is likely to extend into courtrooms over allegations of politically motivated detainment during academic evaluations.
MLA Abhimanyu Poonia arrested amid exams has struck at the heart of student rights and political fair play in Rajasthan. As events unfold, the nation watches to see if academic freedom, student leadership, and democratic expression will be upheld—or overridden—in the name of political enforcement.
Source | APB
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