Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Rahul Gandhi Meets Vijay, Holds Student Outreach in Chennai
Rahul Gandhi came to Chennai on October 10 to meet students and talk about issues that matter to them.
He was also scheduled to have lunch with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
The student event, called Chhatron Ki Goonj or Maanavargalin Kural, was planned for Island Grounds at 5 p.m.
Students were expected to raise questions about exams, education costs and finding jobs.
Organisers said more than 100,000 people registered, but reports gave different estimates for how many could enter.
Entry was limited to students with approved QR codes or identification cards.
Police put a large security operation in place around the event and across Chennai.
Gandhi was expected to return to New Delhi that evening.
Vijay was also scheduled to appear with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a Chennai Metro event the next day.
Rahul Gandhi arrived in Chennai on October 10 for the sixth edition of Congress’s student outreach programme, Chhatron Ki Goonj, also called Maanavargalin Kural.
He was scheduled to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay over lunch at Vijay’s Neelankarai residence before the student event.
The Island Grounds interaction, scheduled for 5 p.m., was intended to address exams and paper leaks, education costs, jobs and other student concerns.
Organisers reported more than 100,000 registrations, but accounts differed on attendance: some cited 10,000–20,000 QR-code holders and another report said entry was capped at 10,000 cardholders.
Reports said 15,000 police personnel were deployed in a five-tier security arrangement; Gandhi was expected to leave for New Delhi that evening.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, and students registered for the event.
- What
- Gandhi arrived for a scheduled lunch meeting with Vijay and a student interaction called Chhatron Ki Goonj.
- When
- October 10, 2026; the student interaction was scheduled for 5 p.m. and the lunch meeting for 1:30 p.m.
- Where
- Chennai, including Vijay’s Neelankarai residence and Island Grounds.
- Why
- The programme was intended to let students discuss exam concerns, education costs, employment and related issues.
Reported Attendance Figures
Reported Entry Limits
How many students could attend
Reported Attendance Figures
Tamil Nadu Congress chief Manickam Tagore said about 10,000 to 20,000 registered students with QR codes would participate.
Reported Entry Limits
Another report said entry was restricted to 10,000 students issued identification cards; the reports do not reconcile the different figures or credentials.
- Programme
- Sixth edition of Congress’s youth outreach event Chhatron Ki Goonj, also known in Tamil as Maanavargalin Kural.
- Meeting
- Gandhi was scheduled to meet Vijay over lunch at Vijay’s Neelankarai residence; one report gave the time as 1:30 p.m.
- Event venue and time
- Island Grounds, Chennai; scheduled for 5 p.m.
- Registration
- Organisers reported more than 100,000 registrations; another report put the figure at 100,000 to 150,000, including direct or indirect connections.
- Entry estimates
- Reports differed: one cited 10,000–20,000 QR-code holders, while another said entry was restricted to 10,000 students with identification cards.
- Topics
- Reported subjects included NEET and other exam irregularities or paper leaks, education expenses, jobs, education for girls and women, and education policy.
- Security
- Reports described a five-tier security arrangement involving 15,000 police personnel.
- Following day's event
- Vijay was scheduled to appear with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11 for the inauguration of a Chennai Metro Phase II stretch.
Sources
Rahul Gandhi Arrives In Chennai, To Meet CM Vijay
Rahul Gandhi in Chennai for 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event, to meet Vijay
Lunch with Rahul, Metro ride with Modi: Vijay walks a political tightrope
India News Live Updates, 10 October 2026: Rahul Gandhi to meet Tamil Nadu CM Vijay, address students in Chennai
Rahul Gandhi arrives in Chennai, to meet CM Vijay, to hold ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’
