“Chhatraon Ki Goonj” is a student-dialogue campaign launched by Rahul Gandhi to corner the BJP on issues such as question paper leaks, expensive education, irregularities in government recruitment, and unemployment. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI
After being denied permission to use the Indore stadium, the Congress on Friday (September 11, 2026) paid over ₹10 lakh to lease an alternative venue in the city for party leader Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme.
Accusing the ruling BJP of deliberately delaying permissions out of panic, Congress leaders confirmed that the party secured a three-day lease of 12,000 sq metres of land in front of the Regional Park from the Indore Development Authority for the student outreach event.
An Indore Development Authority (IDA) official said that the land in front of the Regional Park has been temporarily leased to the Congress from September 17 to September 19, and the fee was fixed at ₹10.08 lakh as per the prevailing rates.
A letter from the IDA to Indore City Congress Committee President Chintu Chouksey stated that permission to hold the event would be issued after the deposit of the funds, subject to the prescribed conditions.
The letter also stated that the organisers would be responsible for ensuring necessary security arrangements at the venue and obtaining no-objection certificates from the relevant departments.
Talking to PTI, City Congress Committee President Chouksey said, “We have deposited the agreed amount into the IDA’s bank account.” He alleged that the BJP government was nervous about Gandhi’s upcoming event in Indore, and in this panic, it has been harassing the Congress over the venue.
“We initially wanted to hold the event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on September 12, but after not receiving permission, we had to change the date to September 19. We were made to run around for 10 days for the land located in front of the Regional Park,” Chouksey said.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where the Opposition party initially sought permission for the programme, falls under the municipal corporation.
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said that under an old order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, the stadium can only be used for sports or state-level government events.
The BJP’s state co-media in-charge Alok Dubey said that the Congress is indulging in propaganda politics and the public knows the truth about this party.
Taking a jibe at the Congress, he said the name of Gandhi’s event should be changed from “Chhatron Ki Goonj” to “Jhooth Ki Goonj”. Congress, meanwhile, has named its event venue as “Bharat Jodo Maidan” and claims that approximately 1.5 lakh students have registered for the programme.
“Chhatraon Ki Goonj” is a student-dialogue campaign launched by Mr. Gandhi to corner the BJP on issues such as question paper leaks, expensive education, irregularities in government recruitment, and unemployment.
Under Mr. Gandhi’s leadership, four editions of the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme have been organised so far in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj, and Pune.
The previous one held in Pune on August 22 was for female students.
Published – September 12, 2026 07:11 am IST
