Cong urges MP CM to allow Indore's Nehru Stadium for Rahul Gandhi's student event

The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday, September 2, urged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to make Indore's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium available for Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme on September 12, amid a standoff with the civic body over permission for the venue.

The request came after Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said the Madhya Pradesh High Court had clearly ruled that only sports activities or state-level government programmes could be held at the stadium.

City Congress president Chintu Chouksey had earlier warned of a protest if permission was not granted for Gandhi's programme at the venue.

In a letter to Yadav, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari said the programme was not merely a political event but a public dialogue focusing on issues including the country's future, aspirations of the youth, the right to education and the security of the education system.

"The government should prioritise the spirit and broader social and national significance of this event," Patwari said.

He also pointed out that Gandhi, as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, holds a constitutional position and argued that making the stadium available for his interaction with students and young people would be appropriate given the significance of the programme.

Patwari urged Yadav to take immediate cognisance of the Congress's request and direct the officials concerned to make Nehru Stadium available for the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme.

The Congress is seeking to mobilise around 50,000 students from Indore and neighbouring areas for the youth outreach event.

'Chhatron Ki Goonj' is a student-dialogue campaign launched by the Congress, under which programmes are being held in cities across the country.

Through the campaign, the opposition party has sought to target the BJP-led government over issues such as examination paper leaks, rising education costs, alleged irregularities in government recruitment and unemployment.

Over the past three months, the Congress has organised the programme in Kota in Rajasthan, Dehradun in Uttarakhand, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh and Pune in Maharashtra.