Rahul Gandhi takes 'Chhatron ki Goonj' to Indore, uses 'best city' tag to target BJP
Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday brought his student outreach programme, 'Chhatron ki Goonj', to Indore, using the city's reputation as India's 'best city' to highlight what he called the government's shortfalls on youth issues. The event, attended by hundreds of students from local educational institutions, is part of the Congress's efforts to engage with young voters ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.
Indore has consistently ranked first in the central government's cleanliness survey, Swachh Survekshan, and is often cited as a model of urban governance. Gandhi acknowledged this achievement but, according to those who attended, quickly pivoted to concerns about higher education, unemployment, and the rising cost of living. He is understood to have asked whether the city's cleanliness awards reflect the overall quality of life for its young residents.
'Chhatron ki Goonj' is a campaign initiated by Gandhi to listen to students' grievances directly. It has previously been held in other cities, where discussions have covered exam stress, lack of research funding, and the competitive pressure faced by students. In Indore, the conversation also touched on the need for more government support for public universities and the importance of preserving reservation policies for marginalised communities.
Indore's political significance is considerable. Located in Madhya Pradesh, which is governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the city has been a stronghold of the BJP in both parliamentary and assembly elections. Gandhi's choice of Indore for the campaign is widely seen as an attempt to question the party's dominance among urban and semi-urban voters, especially the youth.
During his address, Gandhi reportedly drew a contrast between the city's physical infrastructure and its educational outcomes. He mentioned that while Indore hosts prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology and Indian Institute of Management, many students from smaller towns and villages still lack access to quality education. He called for an expansion of affordable public education and vocational training.
The event also became a forum for students to raise their own concerns. Some asked about the lack of internship opportunities, while others wanted to discuss mental health services on campuses. The questions were compiled and later handed over to local Congress leaders, according to the party's social media updates.
The Congress's outreach to students comes at a time when national polls suggest that unemployment and education are among the top concerns for voters under 30. The party has been working on a youth-focused agenda, promising to fill government vacancies and increase spending on education if elected. Gandhi has repeatedly criticised the central government for not doing enough to create jobs.
Not all attendees were convinced. A small group of students shouted slogans in support of the BJP during the event, though they were outnumbered. The organisers maintained that the interaction was peaceful and that all viewpoints were heard.
The response to Gandhi's visit in political circles has been muted, with the BJP calling it a publicity stunt. The state BJP unit said that Indore's development under its government is a model for the country and that the people would not be swayed by what they described as negative politics.
Political analysts observe that student-focused campaigns can have a long-term impact by building relationships with first-time voters. Whether 'Chhatron ki Goonj' will play a decisive role in the next elections is unclear, but it has certainly put the spotlight on the issues facing young Indians.
As Gandhi left Indore, he was expected to carry the concerns raised by students to other parts of the country, continuing the series. The Congress says the initiative will go on in several more cities in the coming weeks.
