Archive · 22 Aug 2026
BJP, Congress Clash Over Student Event Amid Hostel Violence
Rahul Gandhi’s student programme was scheduled to take place in Pune.
The BJP said students were being paid to attend it.
Congress denied this and said it did not have the money to make such payments.
Before the programme, members of two student groups, NSUI and ABVP, argued at a college hostel.
The argument became violent around midnight.
Police used batons to stop the fighting.
The two groups gave different accounts of what caused the clash.
Police registered cases against dozens of people after an ABVP complaint.
BJP MLA Ram Kadam alleged that students were being paid to attend Rahul Gandhi’s 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Pune.
Congress leader Yashomati Chandrakant Thakur denied the allegation, saying the party lacked the money to pay students.
A midnight clash occurred between NSUI and ABVP members at the College of Engineering Pune hostel.
Police used a lathicharge to control the clash, and cases were registered against 50 to 60 people.
The dispute reportedly began over student registrations and claims of pressure to attend the programme.
- Who
- BJP MLA Ram Kadam, Congress leader Yashomati Chandrakant Thakur, and members of NSUI and ABVP were involved in the dispute.
- What
- Political allegations over paid student attendance were followed by a clash at a college hostel before the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme.
- When
- The dispute and clash occurred ahead of the programme, with the violence taking place around midnight.
- Where
- The programme was associated with Pune, while the clash occurred at the College of Engineering Pune hostel premises.
- Why
- The groups disagreed over student registrations and whether students were being pressured or paid to attend the event.
Congress and NSUI
BJP and ABVP
Whether students were paid
Congress and NSUI
Congress denied paying students, saying it lacked the money and that students were attending with enthusiasm.
BJP and ABVP
BJP MLA Ram Kadam alleged that a rate card offered students money according to the number of people they brought.
What caused the hostel clash
Congress and NSUI
NSUI and Youth Congress members said they entered the campus to free two female students whom ABVP members allegedly threatened and confined.
BJP and ABVP
ABVP said NSUI and Youth Congress members were forcefully pressuring hostellers to register for and attend the event.
Meaning of student participation
Congress and NSUI
Congress presented participation as voluntary enthusiasm among students and supporters.
BJP and ABVP
BJP argued that paid attendance would undermine the quality of any discussion with Rahul Gandhi.
- Programme
- Rahul Gandhi’s 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event
- Location
- Pune
- Payment allegation
- Ram Kadam alleged that students were offered money based on how many attendees they brought.
- Congress response
- Yashomati Chandrakant Thakur said Congress did not have money to pay students.
- Groups involved
- National Students' Union of India and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
- Police action
- Police used a lathicharge and registered cases against 50 to 60 individuals.
- Named accused
- The cases included six named NSUI and Youth Congress activists.