A clash broke out between members of the Congress-affiliated National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) at the hostel campus of COEP Technological University in Pune on Friday night, a day before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ interaction with students in the city.
Police were deployed at the hostel following the confrontation. The ABVP alleged that Congress workers were pressuring female students to register for Rahul Gandhi’s programme. The NSUI, however, made a counter-allegation, claiming that two female students who had expressed support for the event were detained and threatened by ABVP members inside the hostel. The allegations from both sides could not be independently verified.
The incident occurred ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s fourth Chhatron Ki Goonj programme, where he is scheduled to interact with students in Pune on Saturday. The Congress leader has previously held similar events in Kota on June 17, Dehradun on July 17 and Prayagraj on August 8.
During the previous programmes, Rahul Gandhi focused on issues concerning students and young people, including paper leaks, unemployment and the education system. Students and teachers have also been invited to share their experiences and concerns directly from the stage.
Police Deployed At Hostel
Following the confrontation, ABVP members staged a protest outside the hostel and attempted to block the road, according to the report. As tensions increased, police personnel were deployed in large numbers around the campus.
Some members of the student organisations were detained by police following the clash. The situation was brought under control as authorities increased security around the hostel ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s visit.
The incident has added a political dimension to the Congress leader’s planned student outreach programme, with both student organisations making competing claims about what happened inside the hostel.
Rahul’s Previous Student Events
At the August 8 programme in Prayagraj, Rahul Gandhi spoke about what he described as the challenges faced by young people and referred to social media reels as a form of addiction. He also argued that the current system creates obstacles for young people seeking employment.
During his July 17 interaction in Dehradun, Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of examination paper leaks. He said a small number of people involved in paper leaks could affect the prospects of a much larger number of honest students.
At the June 17 event in Kota, Rahul Gandhi said the programme was intended as a platform for students and young people to raise their concerns rather than a conventional political gathering. Education-related stress and problems within the education system were among the issues discussed.
Congress Plans 800 Events
The Congress has indicated that Chhatron Ki Goonj will be expanded across the country. Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said after the party's CWC meeting in Delhi on July 19 that the programme would be organised in around 800 small cities and towns.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to participate in some of these programmes, while other events would provide local students and young people a platform to discuss their concerns.
Patna Programme Was Cancelled
A similar programme planned in Patna on July 15 was cancelled. Congress cited the Model Code of Conduct linked to the Bankipore Assembly by-election as the official reason.
There were also reports of internal discussions over preparations for the event, including concerns about the availability of student data and contact lists. The programme had initially been proposed for July 11 before being rescheduled to July 15.
The Pune event is now drawing attention not only because of Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students but also because of the confrontation between NSUI and ABVP members ahead of his visit.
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