Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Pune Student Event Draws Dispute Over Access and Format
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend a student programme in Pune on August 22.
Harshwardhan Sapkal said students from any caste, religion or political party can attend.
Students must register by scanning a barcode.
He said the event is not a regular party programme and will not display Congress flags or symbols.
Sapkal said Rahul Gandhi will speak with young female students.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the event may be tightly controlled.
He also questioned whether it would be a real discussion or mostly a one-way speech.
The programme is expected to focus on paper leaks and other problems faced by students.
Harshwardhan Sapkal said Rahul Gandhi’s August 22 Pune programme will be open to all registered students.
The event at AISSMS College ground will feature a dialogue with young female students, Sapkal said.
Sapkal said registration will require scanning a barcode, with no restrictions based on caste, religion or political affiliation.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed the event would be controlled and may involve students from Congress-linked colleges.
The programme is expected to address paper leaks and other student concerns.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are central to the dispute.
- What
- A student-focused ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme featuring Rahul Gandhi is being organized in Pune.
- When
- The programme is scheduled for August 22; Sapkal’s comments were reported on August 20.
- Where
- AISSMS College ground in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The event is intended to discuss paper leaks and other student concerns.
Sapkal’s Position
Fadnavis’s Position
Access to the event
Sapkal’s Position
Harshwardhan Sapkal said the programme is open to all students who register through the barcode, including students from any caste, religion or political party.
Fadnavis’s Position
Devendra Fadnavis claimed the programme would be restricted to students from colleges run by Congress leaders.
Nature of the programme
Sapkal’s Position
Sapkal described it as a dialogue with young female students and said it is not a party programme because there will be no party flag or symbol.
Fadnavis’s Position
Fadnavis said the event would be held in a controlled setting and might be a monologue rather than an open dialogue.
Comparison with another youth interaction
Sapkal’s Position
Sapkal alleged that RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent interaction with youngsters was a fixed match in which students had been coached beforehand.
Fadnavis’s Position
Sapkal said Fadnavis appeared to expect similar control from the Congress event, though Fadnavis’s reported comments focused on the event’s access and format.
- Event
- Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme
- Date
- August 22
- Venue
- AISSMS College ground, Pune
- Registration
- Students must register by scanning a barcode
- Eligibility
- Sapkal said students of any caste, religion or political affiliation may attend
- Main topics
- Paper leaks and other student concerns
- Disputed issue
- Whether the event will be an open dialogue or a controlled interaction