Rahul Gandhi gets nod for 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune; 30 curbs, banners barred

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has received permission to hold his proposed ' Chhatron Ki Goonj ' programme in Pune with 30 conditions, prohibiting "objectionable" banners or images and directing organisers to avoid hurting religious sentiments.

Key points

• He addressed the second and third segments of the outreach programme in Dehradun and Prayagraj on July 17 and August 8, respectively.
• Gandhi introduced the campaign from Kota, a coaching hub in Rajasthan, on June 17 to highlight matters in the education sector and challenges faced by students.
• There are a total of 30 conditions set by the police while granting the permission, he informed.
• Maharashtra Congress vice president Mohan Joshi remarked the police have granted permission for the programme and the organisers will comply with all the conditions laid down by them.
• They have directed the organisers to deploy private security personnel, including women guards, and create extensive apply of volunteers, particularly women.

As per the permission order issued on Wednesday, the programme is scheduled to be held from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm at the SSPMS College ground near RTO Chowk in the city, where 8, 000 to 10, 000 individuals are probable to gather.

Among 30 conditions set by the police, the organisers have been directed not to put up any objectionable images, pictures or banners, and they will be responsible if any untoward incident occurs and leads to a law-and-order situation there, the order remarked.

"No one's religious sentiments should be hurt during the programme and responsibility for ensuring this will be on the organisers, " it stated.

Meanwhile, the police have additionally asked the organisers to ensure adequate security, separate arrangements for men and women, sufficient entry and exit gates, drinking water, toilets, fire-safety equipment and parking facilities.

CCTV cameras covering the entire venue are additionally required to remain operational during the day and night.

Rahul Gandhi's Prayagraj student event venue cancelled, Congress seeks alternativeUttarakhand has turned 'epicentre' of paper leaks; won't let youth's future be 'auctioned off': Rahul Gandhi The organisers have been instructed to comply with Supreme Court directions on permissible noise levels and provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

In practice, the police have additionally prohibited the apply of drones for photography at the venue and directed the organisers to ensure that emergency access remains available for police, medical and fire services.

Notably, the permission is subject to a no-objection certificate from the traffic department.

It can be cancelled at any time if any illegal activity affecting law and order is detected, the police remarked.

If a dispute arises over the venue, the no-objection permission will be cancelled immediately, they remarked.

Police have imposed 14-day prohibitory orders throughout Pune city from Tuesday till August 31, restricting public assemblies and the burning of effigies, a decision coming ahead of festivals and Congress's event.

While police cited security for upcoming festivals and protests as reasons for enforcing restrictions under the Maharashtra Police Act, Congress leader Pawan Khera has asserted the order was issued to disrupt the programme of Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Taken together, the developments around rahul Gandhi gets nod for ' Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune; 30 point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.