Pune, Maharashtra, India, August 20 (ANI): Pune City Police on Thursday granted conditional permission for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s nationwide student outreach initiative, “Chhatron Ki Goonj,” scheduled for Aug. 22 at the SSPMS College Ground.
The event, aimed at addressing issues such as paper leaks, examination irregularities and rising education fees, will specifically focus on providing a platform for young women. It is expected to draw between 8,000 and 10,000 attendees from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
In an official directive issued to former MLA and Maharashtra Congress Senior Vice President Mohan Joshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Rajlakshmi Shivankar outlined 30 mandatory conditions to maintain public order and security.
Displaying provocative images, banners or portraits is strictly prohibited. Police said event organizers will bear full legal responsibility if any untoward incident leads to a law-and-order disruption.
“Objectionable images, portraits or banners must not be displayed during the program; additionally, if any untoward incident takes place leading to a law-and-order issue, the entire responsibility will lie with the organizers,” the police directive stated.
Attendance must not exceed the venue’s maximum capacity. Organizers are required to establish at least four separate entry and exit gates and designate separate seating areas for men and women.
Entry points must include enclosed areas for frisking female attendees, with the screening conducted exclusively by female security personnel. Male volunteers are prohibited from performing frisking duties, and organizers must ensure an adequate number of female volunteers to assist private security personnel.
The stage and marquee must have certified installations and a mandatory Public Works Department fitness certificate. A “D-cordon” protective barricade must also be installed in front of the main stage. Fully functional day-and-night CCTV surveillance throughout the venue is mandatory.
Drone cameras are completely banned for photography or videography, as is the use of high-intensity beam lights directed into the sky. Organizers must also comply with regulations issued by the Airports Authority of India and the Central Industrial Security Force.
The proceedings must comply with Supreme Court noise-level restrictions and must not cause disruption to residents, senior citizens, nearby schools, hospitals or Pune Railway Station.
Organizers must obtain formal No Objection Certificates from the Fire and Traffic departments before the event.
Pune City Police warned that any failure to comply with the conditions or any breach of law and order could result in the immediate cancellation of the event permit and possible legal action.
Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched “Chhatron Ki Goonj,” a nationwide student-led political campaign, in mid-2026. The movement aims to serve as a national platform for student concerns related to education and recruitment.
The campaign has focused on examination irregularities and paper leaks, rising fees and the privatization of higher education, as well as unemployment linked to alleged corruption in competitive recruitment. It calls for equal employment opportunities and greater structural safeguards for job aspirants.
Announcing the Pune program, Rahul Gandhi said the event would provide an exclusive platform for girls to share their views, adding that their voices would be heard across the country.
“On August 22, ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ is arriving in Pune—and this time’s event will be exclusively for girls. Now the girls will speak, and the country will listen. Register to join,” he said. (ANI)
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