Amit Shah responsible for violence against students, lacks courage to face Parliament: Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi said that raising concerns about the country’s education system was not a crime and argued that students were demanding reforms, not resorting to violence. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed Home Minister Amit Shah, accusing him of being responsible for the alleged police violence against students protesting the paper leak issue and claiming that he lacked the courage to explain the incident in Parliament. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha made the remarks after meeting a group of students who had protested last month, demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the paper leak controversy. The students have alleged police excesses during the July 20 protest. “I just met young protesters from various states and had a discussion. I want to thank them and I am proud of thousands of students like them as they fought for the Constitution, the education system and the future of India,” Gandhi told reporters outside former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s 10, Janpath residence. “They mentioned to me how they were assaulted, beaten and threatened.They have defended the Constitution, protected the idea of India and the future of India,” Gandhi said, flanked by the students. He said raising concerns about the country’s education system was not a crime and argued that students were demanding reforms, not resorting to violence. “If anything, the system needs to be changed, it needs to be corrected and that is all they (the students) were asking for. They were not indulging in violence, they were not being aggressive or nasty. They were beaten, assaulted and threatened,” Gandhi alleged. Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition members stage a protest demanding Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi accuses Modi, Shah of intimidating Gen Z with FIRs, says they are ‘India’s past’ On the alleged police brutality student protesters, Gandhi said, “Forcing them, sending ‘goondas’ and forcibly taking their apology, taking apology from a 15-year-old and accepting that apology, is nonsense and unacceptable to us,” he said. Gandhi said the country needed an education system that worked and urged an end to exam paper leaks. He also directly targeted Shah, alleging that the Union home minister was accountable for the alleged violence against the protesters. “The person who is responsible for this violence is the home minister.” “The person who had pellet gun fired at this young lady, the person who had a pellet gun fired at that young man whom I brought before the press a few days ago, the person who has turned the police force against this young lady, is Amit Shah and he is the home minister of India,” Gandhi said. “He (Shah) does not have the decency to come to Parliament. He does not have the decency or the courage to comment on what has happened. “There are two possibilities, he did not know that violence was carried out on children, in which case he is incompetent; or he ordered that the pellet gun be fired and violence unleashed against youngsters, which means he is culpable. Either way, he is responsible,” the former Congress chief said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Centre responsible for ‘paralysing’ both Houses of Parliament: Kharge
Kharge accused PM Modi and HM Shah of running the government from home, and alleged that they were ‘afraid’ of coming to Parliament. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday questioned why the Union Home Minister Amit Shah was not making a statement on the brutalities against students who protested against NEET irregularities on July 20. He claimed that the government was responsible for both Houses of Parliament remaining paralysed. Kharge said the Opposition wants a debate, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah are “afraid” of coming to the House, which means they know that they have done something wrong. “We want a debate. Why do they (government) not want to debate? They give a statement on other issues; why are they not giving a statement on this issue? We are only asking for a statement. They do not have a reply to this, and the House is not able to function because of them; the government is responsible, Prime Minister Modi is responsible, Home Minister Shah is responsible,” the Congress chief told reporters in the Parliament House complex. “For the past 17 days, we have been trying to get Amit Shah to come to the House and make a statement on the injustice and atrocities committed against the children,” he said. Instead of coming to the House to answer, Prime Minister Modi is making reels on Instagram at night, Kharge said and asked why the PM was “ignoring” Parliament. This is an “insult” to the MPs, and also to the people, he said, alleging that the PM and the home minister do not want to run the House smoothly. “Why are these people so afraid of coming to the House? It means they know they have done something wrong,” Kharge charged. The Modi government neither wants to solve the problems of the people nor provide solutions to students and the youth, he said. “We are demanding that either come to the House and make a statement or if they don’t want to make a statement in the House, then resign,” he said. Kharge accused Modi and Shah of running the government from home. Modi-Shah sit in rooms and listen to everything, and they instruct their people that as soon as the opposition stands up to speak, create chaos in the House, Kharge claimed. “With great sorrow, I must say that the Chairman in the Rajya Sabha doesn’t even let us raise our voices. He says he will give me time, I sit down trusting him, and then they adjourn the House. This is not good,” he said. The Opposition has been demanding in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha a statement from Shah on the alleged police excesses during the July 20 student protest over the paper leak issue. Both Houses of Parliament have remained deadlocked, with the opposition refusing to relent. Most of the legislative business is being conducted amid din. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Use of force against peaceful protesters wrong’: Rahul Gandhi condemns police action on Jharkhand students
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the alleged use of force by the police against the protesting students in Jharkhand, saying that violence against a peaceful protest is wrong. During a press conference, Rahul said, “We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students. It does not matter where it is happening. We condemn it, we are against it, we do not recommend it, and we do not support it.” “As long as the protest remains peaceful, attacking that protest with violence is wrong,” he added. Earlier, in a social media post on X, the Congress leader said that students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions. “Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions. The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately,” the leader of opposition (Lok Sabha) posted on X. This came as the BJP has repeatedly criticised Rahul over his “silence” on the students’ protest in Jharkhand, which is ruled by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), an ally of Congress in the INDIA bloc. The protest has been led by aspirants seeking greater transparency, accountability and fairness in the recruitment process. The students marched towards the assembly premises despite heightened security arrangements in the area as their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations continued. Police carried out a lathi charge, fired tear gas and deployed water cannons after the protesters moved closer to the Assembly. The march escalated after protesters managed to break through several barricades put up by security personnel and continued towards the Vidhan Sabha. Water cannons were used after the protesting students breached multiple barricades. The students have maintained that their agitation will continue until their demands regarding the recruitment examinations are addressed and concrete action is taken against those responsible for irregularities. Meanwhile, in a major development in the investigation, the state police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday arrested Jharkhand Public Service Commission’s (JPSC) former Chairman L Khiangte. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Factionalism mars Punjab Congress campaign as clashes erupt across State
A senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the ‘Harr booth mazboot’ campaign by Bhupesh Baghel had failed to strengthen the party’s booth-level organisation. CHANDIGARH: Open factionalism, slogan shouting, clashes and poster wars marked the Punjab Congress’s 10-day Harr booth mazboot campaign, which ended on Saturday after party in-charge and AICC General Secretary Bhupesh Baghel toured 18 districts to assess preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections. The campaign ended in Ludhiana, the parliamentary constituency of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. The incidents during the tour highlighted continuing differences within the state unit, with “go back” slogans and protests reported at several programmes. Ludhiana emerged as a major centre of discord as Baghel’s tour ended with a programme at Khanna. Supporters of former Cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu raised slogans, prompting Warring to accuse them of being backed by the RSS. The unrest was also reported in Malerkotla, where rival factions allegedly clashed on stage. The dispute turned physical, forcing police to intervene and use batons to separate the groups. At Khanna, a section of Congress workers raised slogans in support of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. When attempts were made to stop the slogan-shouting, the group reportedly walked out of the meeting. Similar protests and disagreements were reported during party programmes in Patiala, Sangrur, Ferozepur, Bathinda, Muktsar and Mansa, highlighting the factionalism within the state unit. Harr booth mazboot campaign ended in Ludhiana, the parliamentary constituency of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Punjab Congress rift resurfaces as ex-CM Channi skips Rahul Gandhi’s Parliament speech A senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the campaign had failed to strengthen the party’s booth-level organisation. “Repeated clashes during party meetings have sent a negative message to voters. It gives the impression that Congress leaders are more focused on internal power struggles than public issues,” he said, adding that leaders with personal differences should approach the high command and resolve them instead of creating scenes at party programmes. Throughout his 10-day tour, Baghel repeatedly warned that there would be zero tolerance for indiscipline. He said those who disrupted party programmes would be identified and action would be taken against them. Baghel also said the party’s external enemies were visible and identified, while those working within the organisation as “sleeper cells” and “internal saboteurs” needed to be exposed and removed. The Punjab Congress has been facing factionalism despite repeated efforts by its leadership to strengthen organisational unity ahead of the 2027 elections. The differences came to the fore after the Congress leadership on July 1 retained Warring as Punjab Congress president and appointed former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi as chairman of its campaign committee. A section of leaders led by Channi opposed Warring’s continuation as state unit chief and sought his removal. Harpreet Bajwa Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘You’ll have to answer for this crime’: Rahul slams PM Modi, HM Shah over police action on students
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday upped the ante against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, accusing them of “doling out pardons” instead of apologising to the students for the alleged police brutality against them during the protest march in Delhi on July 20.A day after his “Chaatron Ki Goonj” event at Prayagraj, Rahul, in a social media post on X, said that students are the light of the nation and he stands with them with “full strength.” “‘I have no way out left now’ – This is what a student said to me yesterday in Prayagraj. Years of preparation, sold the family land, parents’ debts, and still nothing to show for it. This defeat is not his. This is the defeat of that system which refused to reward his hard work,” Rahul Gandhi said. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) “Thirteen days have passed – not a word has come from home minister Amit Shah’s mouth. Instead of apologizing, Modi ji is doling out pardons. Amit Shah ji, don’t think for a moment that we will stop demanding accountability. Lathis and pellets rained down on children on the streets of the capital – and you didn’t say a word. Whether today or tomorrow, you will have to answer for this crime. Students are the light of the nation, and I stand with them with my full strength,” he added. Earlier on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi said the country’s youth were being trapped in a “chakravyuh”, with youngsters spending lakhs and crores on educational certificates that offered no guarantee of employment. “Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you a job,” the Congress leader said. Addressing the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP College Ground, Rahul cautioned youngsters against getting trapped in the “intoxication” of making Instagram reels, saying social media was being used to keep them occupied as jobs and opportunities shrink. “You make reels and work on Blinkit-like platforms because there is no job for you in this country,” he said, describing the trend as a “dreaded intoxication” and warning that youngsters were being turned into “bandhua mazdoor” (bonded labourers). The Congress leader said that avenues in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, public and private sector jobs, corporate, IT and banking were shrinking, with AI increasingly being used by influential corporate houses. He also alleged that people associated with RSS ideology had been appointed to head various institutions, affecting the entire system. Despite his criticism, Rahul said the country’s youth had “lighted the path” towards a promising future. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
If Rahul Gandhi is truly in favor of women’s reservation, why isn’t he supporting its implementation?: BJP
The political war of words between the BJP and Congress over the Women’s Reservation Bill has intensified. New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday again targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning why he isn’t supporting it if he truly supports 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Accusations against Congress BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh accused the Congress of adopting a “double standard” on the issue of women’s reservation. He also targeted Congress allies, accusing them of obstructing its implementation. Congress is looking for excuses to block reservations BJP MP Tarun Chugh told PTI Video that the central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi enacted a law providing 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Now that steps are being taken to implement and enforce it quickly, Congress is looking for excuses. If Rahul is in favor, why is he opposing it? A Rajya Sabha member questioned that if Rahul Gandhi truly supports women’s reservation, why isn’t he supporting its implementation? He said that women need rights and representation, not just slogans. Congress should now abandon its double standards and stop obstructing women’s empowerment. It should support the Prime Minister’s efforts related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Act. Parliamentary Affairs Minister expressed hope A war of words broke out between the BJP and Congress on Saturday over the women’s reservation and delimitation bills. The accusations and counter-accusations began when Gandhi said that no country can succeed unless its women speak out openly. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called it a “clear change of stance” and expressed hope that the opposition party would support the proposed laws. Congress MP posts on X Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, in a post addressed to Rijiju on ‘X’, said that as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, who knows better than him that the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed unanimously in 2023 and that Congress fully supported it. He said, “The question is why it hasn’t been implemented even after three years, and why do you want to unnecessarily link it to delimitation now? Implement the 2023 law. Without any conditions.” Courtesy: Hindi News
Rahul to Amit Shah: Won’t stop demanding accountability
NEW DELHI: Congress’ Rahul Gandhi on Sunday questioned home minister Amit Shah’s silence over alleged police brutalities against protesting students, saying he would have to answer for what happened sooner or later. “I have no options left now’ — This is exactly what a student told me in Prayagraj yesterday. Years of preparation, selling the family land, parents burdened with debt and yet, nothing to show for it,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X, referring to his “Chhatron ki Goonj” event on Saturday. “This is not his failure, it is the failure of a system that refused to reward his hard work,” Rahul added. Several days have passed since the students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged paper leaks called off their agitation, yet there’s not a single word from Shah on the action taken by Delhi Police against them, he said. “Amit Shahji, do not think that we will stop demanding accountability…” he said. Meanwhile, with the monsoon session of Parliament entering its final week on Monday, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Sunday cautioned the govt that “history should not repeat itself”, recalling that significant laws were passed during the winter session of Parliament in 2023 despite 146 MPs being under suspension. Referring to the security breach which saw two men jumping into Lok Sabha on Dec 13, 2023, Ramesh said in a post on X, “Opposition repeatedly demanded a statement from the Union Home Minister. None was forthcoming. He remained silent as he is doing now on the brutalities inflicted by the Delhi Police on protesting youth last month.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cabinet fiasco pushes Congress into a tailspin
Despite Congress’s claims of rolling out the guarantee schemes in the state to empower women and its stand on the women’s reservation issue, Shivakumar’s cabinet is without a woman minister. Little over two months after the Congress central leaders patted themselves on their own backs for effecting a smooth leadership change in Karnataka, the party now faces intense internal turmoil after the cabinet expansion. Strategic miscalculations have left many of its lawmakers discontented, forcing the party to consider corrective measures. The party has landed itself in such a predicament that any quick-fix solution could be worse than the problem. The party’s top leadership deliberated on the ministry expansion for long, and held several rounds of consultations with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah. Perhaps, after sifting through several lists, it was decided to induct 20 legislators into the ministry. However, only 19 took oath. The plan to induct new faces appears to be in sync with party leader Rahul Gandhi’s broader roadmap of a transition within the party. The plan and its execution seemed wobbly from the start. The list was changed hours before the oath-taking ceremony. Despite Congress’s claims of rolling out the guarantee schemes in the state to empower women and its stand on the women’s reservation issue, Shivakumar’s cabinet is without a woman minister. Many districts are without representation. Even North Karnataka legislators from the Kuruba and minority communities have been left out. Two ministers from the Kuruba community are from South Karnataka. Of the four ministers from the minority community — three Muslims and one Christian — three are from Bengaluru City and one from coastal Karnataka. Siddaramaiah’s conspicuous absence at the ministers’ oath-taking ceremony at Lok Bhavan exposed the fault lines in the party. It also gave a subtle yet clear indication of how the Congress’s internal politics is likely to play out in the days ahead. The Congress workers’ protests at several places in the state, including outside the party head office in Bengaluru, mass resignations by local leaders in districts, and an outpouring of anger by several legislators, have all put the party in hot water. The CM’s initial remarks that “resignations (of those threatening to quit) will be accepted within a few minutes” showed that the party had again failed to read the situation. It was only when things appeared to be getting out of hand – the growing number of disgruntled legislators, and them planning a future course of action – that the CM, State Congress president BK Hariprasad and AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala plunged into damage-control mode. During their meetings with the disgruntled MLAs, the leaders are said to have admitted to mistakes being committed and that they would shortly take corrective measures, while the aspirants made it clear that they would settle for nothing less than a cabinet berth. As of now, only one cabinet berth is vacant. It is unclear what corrective measures the party would take at this stage. There is a buzz that a few ministers may be asked to resign to make way for some of those excluded. Some leaders may be accommodated in party positions and some in boards and corporations to assuage their feelings. By all means, the party has found itself in a catch-22 situation. No minister is happy to resign, and such a move will amount to the party admitting that it has erred. The impression that local leaders can compel the high command to change its decision will further vitiate the situation. Also, B Nagendra’s induction has caused a degree of unease within the party. As Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister in Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, he had resigned in June 2024 after multi-crore financial irregularities in the state-owned Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Limited surfaced. A case had been registered against him, and he was also arrested. While the CM defended the decision, a three-term Congress MLA questioned what the yardstick was for inducting leaders into the cabinet, as those who went to jail and those who allegedly worked against the party have been made ministers. Nagendra’s induction has also handed a potent issue to the opposition during the upcoming legislative session from August 13. The Congress, downplaying the developments, has taken to oft-repeated remarks that a party with nearly 140 legislators is bound to face such turbulence, as only a limited number of leaders can be accommodated in the cabinet. However, if the ruling party continues to be pulled into a whirlwind of internal politics, it will do no good for its plans for the 2028 assembly polls or for the state administration. The challenge is to overcome party politics and deliver good governance. Unlike Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, the current team at the helm of affairs lacks the luxury of time; their performance would be tested in corporation polls in the Greater Bengaluru Authority and local bodies polls, provided they are held, and in the 2028 assembly polls. For now, the CM faces another immediate challenge, that of allocating portfolios to the new ministers, and preparing his new team for the legislative session starting next week. Ramu Patil Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Congress not realising own errors’: Rijiju draws parallel with Indira Gandhi post Emergency
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday stepped up his attack on Congress, accusing the party of failing to acknowledge its “errors and shortcomings.” In a post on X, Rijiju contrasted the current Congress leadership with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, saying she had been “blunt” in admitting the actions she took during the Emergency. Sharing a video of Indira Gandhi, Rijiju wrote, “Although… we do not agree with the policies and the steps taken by the former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi ji, she was blunt in admitting the actions that she had taken.” — KirenRijiju (@KirenRijiju) “Now, Congress party is not even realising their own errors & shortcomings,” he added. In the video, Indira Gandhi is seen defending the arrest of former deputy prime minister Morarji Desai and other Opposition leaders, alleging that they were “destroying democracy.”Rijiju’s remarks came hours after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi hit back at his challenge to the party to extend “unconditional support” to the Women’s Reservation Bill. Gandhi questioned the Centre’s decision to link implementation of the legislation with the delimitation exercise. Reiterating the Congress’ position, Rahul called for the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, “without any conditions.” “Mr Rijiju, who would know better than you, as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs – that the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 has already been passed unanimously, with the full support of the Congress,” Rahul posted on X. The question is, why has it still not been implemented even after three years, and why do you now want to unnecessarily link it to delimitation? Implement the 2023 law. Without any conditions,” he added. Earlier in the day, Rijiju had challenged the Congress to support the Women’s Reservation Bill unconditionally after Gandhi called for greater freedom of expression for women. The opposition has demanded that women’s reservation be delinked from the delimitation exercise. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, was passed by both Houses of Parliament. However, its implementation has not moved forward after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill fell in the Lok Sabha on April 17, failing to secure the constitutionally required two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The Bill provided for 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures, along with provisions linked to delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Youth country’s asset, but system trapping them in ‘chakravyuh’: Rahul
Prayagraj: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the country’s youth were being trapped in a “chakravyuh”, with youngsters spending lakhs and crores on educational certificates that offered no guarantee of employment. “Today, education certificates have no meaning in India because they cannot give you a job,” he said, adding that only around 12 out of every 1,000 aspirants get permanent employment. Addressing the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP College Ground, Rahul cautioned youngsters against getting trapped in the “intoxication” of making Instagram reels, saying social media was being used to keep them occupied as jobs and opportunities shrink. “You make reels and work on Blinkit-like platforms because there is no job for you in this country,” he said, describing the trend as a “dreaded intoxication” and warning that youngsters were being turned into “bandhua mazdoor” (bonded labourers). Referring to AI, Gandhi said the data consumed and generated by young people was helping AI systems develop. Gandhi structured his speech around “dard” (pain), data and “daulat” (wealth). He said the pain and data belonged to the youth, while the wealth generated from them was being concentrated in the hands of a few. He said the youth were the country’s strength and pride. A youth sharing the stage with Gandhi criticised paper leaks and the normalisation formula. Two Allahabad University students also interacted with him and detailed problems at the university and the ongoing agitation.Gandhi said avenues in manufacturing, entrepreneurship, public and private sector jobs, corporate, IT and banking were shrinking, with AI increasingly being used by influential corporate houses, including Adani and Ambani. He also alleged that people associated with RSS ideology had been appointed to head various institutions, affecting the entire system. Despite his criticism, Gandhi said the country’s youth had “lighted the path” towards a promising future. He appealed to them to reject hatred and violence and change the system through love. “You are India, spirit and future, and the most beautiful youngsters of the world. Do not allow hate and violence, but open the Mohabbat Ki Dukaan (shop of love),” Rahul said. He presented his formula for India’s 21st-century economy — “youth plus data”. He said India has around 40 crore young people, one of the country’s greatest strengths, while each youngster consumed around 1GB of data a day. “Youth + data = 21st-century economy,” he said, linking the potential of young Indians and the data they generate to economic growth and AI development. Breaking from his usual white t-shirt, Rahul arrived wearing a pink half-sleeved shirt. He began with “Namaskar. Hello, how are you?” and thanked the gathering for organising the event. “The city belongs to my family, and I’m always happy whenever I come here,” he said, recalling his association with Prayagraj and mentioning Allahabad University, which he described as the best university in the country. The programme drew a large gathering of students and competitive exam aspirants despite waterlogging and muddy patches at the venue. Students raised concerns over hostel facilities and competitive examinations. Dance performances by rappers from Mumbai were staged before his arrival. A day earlier, Congress had taken out a motorcycle rally led by Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai. ABVP, BJP activists stage protest ABVP and BJP activists staged a brief protest near Rahul Gandhi’s cavalcade on Saturday, waving saffron flags as he travelled to the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme at KP College Ground. Police personnel deployed along the route immediately intervened and cleared the way for the cavalcade. The protest lasted briefly, with security personnel preventing the demonstrators from obstructing the convoy’s movement. The incident occurred amid heightened political activity in the city over Gandhi’s visit and his programme focusing on issues concerning students and youth. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights