Indore: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Indore on Saturday for a Congress programme “Chhatron Ki Goonj”, which seeks to highlight issues related to education, recruitment and unemployment.
The campaign focuses on question paper leaks, education costs and alleged irregularities in govt recruitment. Four editions have been held so far in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj and Pune.
The Indore event was earlier scheduled for Sept 12 and was postponed by a week. The district administration denied permission to use Nehru Stadium, citing a pending court matter. Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said a high court order allows the stadium to be used only for sports or state-level govt events.
Congress then leased 12,000 square metres of land in front of Regional Park from Indore Development Authority for Sept 17 to 19, at a fee of Rs 10.08 lakh. Another charge of around Rs 4 lakh was imposed by local authorities as the land was used in violation of lease terms before the prescribed dates. Congress paid the amount.
The party has named the venue “Bharat Jodo Maidan”. It claims about 1.5 lakh students have registered, but around 15,000-20,000 are expected to attend at the venue.
“We will make arrangements on wide screens for youths unable to attend the event in areas around the venue,” Congress state chief Jitu Patwari told reporters.
Patwari accused BJP of delaying permissions, a charge the party dismissed. He alleged that organisers were repeatedly asked to pay for the ground. Describing the programme as non-political, he said: “The administration can impose as many difficulties as it wants; we accept them.”
Congress said police security conditions require organisers to deploy at least 1,500 volunteers, including 500 women. Police may restrict entry if the gathering exceeds the approved capacity.
The party said the conditions also barred the display of objectionable or provocative pictures, banners, posters or hoardings, and prohibited inflammatory or derogatory remarks against any religion, caste, community or political or non-political organisation that could hurt anyone’s religious sentiments.
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