New Delhi, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday announced that the next edition of the party’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme will be held in Pune on August 22, with the event being organised exclusively for girls.
Gandhi made the announcement while continuing his criticism of the BJP-led government over alleged police action against student protesters during a Parliament march.
In a post on X, Gandhi praised the students who, according to him, had continued to demand accountability despite facing pressure.
“The courage and resilience with which India’s youth have stood firm against Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s violent regime and demanded accountability, is commendable,” he said, adding that the students had raised their voices with “peace, love, and humour”.
Gandhi said he was particularly proud of the young women who, he alleged, faced “misbehavior, verbal abuse, and violence” from BJP supporters and were even forced to apologise to the Prime Minister.
“But now their voices cannot be silenced,” he said.
Gandhi also shared a video showing him interacting with students who claimed to have been victims of alleged police brutality during a July 20 march organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
In the interaction, some female students alleged that they witnessed “every form of dictatorship” during the protest and claimed that they and their family members had subsequently faced online abuse and threats.
“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,” Gandhi said.
The previous edition of ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ was held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on August 8. During the event, Gandhi praised students for what he described as their courage in confronting systemic problems.
He had alleged that the education and employment systems were being weakened, universities were being controlled and students were facing attacks.
The Congress launched ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ as a nationwide campaign earlier this year. Its first rally was held in Kota, Rajasthan, on June 17 in connection with the May 3 NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
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