Rahul Gandhi meet: Congress defiant after UP venue permission revoked
The Congress on Thursday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of creating hurdles for the proposed ‘Chhatraon Ki Goonj’ interaction between Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and students. The party asserted that the event will take place as scheduled on August 8 in Prayagraj, despite the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) Trust withdrawing permission for the venue.
Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai said the party has paid the requisite fee of ₹51,000 and will not back down. “No matter how many obstacles the BJP government creates, the programme will be organised on the holy land of Prayagraj on August 8 at any cost,” he said.
The trust had permitted the use of the KP Ground on July 31, but cancelled it on Wednesday, citing an Allahabad High Court order dated August 14, 2025, which restricts the ground to sports and educational activities only. The Congress alleged that the cancellation is politically motivated.
“First in Kota (Rajasthan), then in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and now in Prayagraj – the BJP government is making unsuccessful attempts everywhere to stop this historic dialogue between the youth and Rahul Gandhi. But the voice of the youth of the country cannot be suppressed,” Mr. Rai said.
Mr. Gandhi also reacted on social media platform X, saying: “Students of Allahabad University are fighting for their future against fee hikes and seat cuts. But instead of listening to the students, the administration is filing FIRs against them... No matter how hard the government tries, it cannot stop me from raising the voice of the students.”
The Congress has not yet indicated an alternative venue if the trust’s decision stands. The party’s state unit said it is exploring legal options and remains committed to holding the interaction on the same date.
The development comes amid a series of similar cancellations or disruptions of Rahul Gandhi’s public engagements in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress leaders have alleged a pattern of administrative obstruction, while the BJP has not commented on the specific allegations.
The Allahabad High Court order cited by the trust was passed in response to a petition regarding the use of the ground for non-educational purposes. The trust maintains that it is legally bound to comply with the court’s direction.
Political analysts note that the confrontation highlights the tense atmosphere ahead of state-level political mobilisation by the Congress, particularly around issues affecting students. The ‘Chhatraon Ki Goonj’ events are part of a series of interactions designed to engage with young voters and address their concerns about education policy and employment.
As of Friday morning, no official communication had been issued by the district administration or the trust regarding any revised arrangement. The Congress said it will announce further steps after consulting its legal team.
