Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s scheduled visit to Pune has triggered a political and student confrontation even before his arrival, with a clash between members linked to the Congress and the BJP’s student wing at the College of Engineering Pune (COEP) hostel.
The confrontation took place on Friday night between around 8:30 pm and 11 pm, according to media reports. Police later registered a case in connection with the incident.
Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend the ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme in Pune on Saturday evening. The event is expected to focus on issues concerning students and young people.
What Triggered the Pune Campus Clash?
The dispute reportedly began after allegations were exchanged over students attending Rahul Gandhi’s programme.
ABVP members alleged that NSUI and Youth Congress workers pressured female students to participate in the event. They claimed some students were not willing to attend but were allegedly pushed to join the programme.
Congress-linked workers rejected the allegation. They instead accused ABVP members of intimidating two female students who had expressed support for the event and raised concerns related to scholarships.
The competing claims led to a confrontation inside the college hostel, eventually requiring police intervention.
FIR Registered Against 50-60 Youth Congress Workers
Following the incident, police registered an FIR against around 50 to 60 Youth Congress workers, according to media reports.
The case includes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to allegedly causing physical hurt, unlawful assembly and criminal intimidation, along with other applicable provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act.
Police personnel have also been deployed around the university campus to prevent any further confrontation between the two groups.
The allegations made by both sides are being investigated, and the registration of an FIR does not by itself establish guilt.
Congress, BJP Trade Allegations
The controversy has quickly turned into a political battle between the Congress and BJP.
Congress leaders condemned the violence and argued that students should have the freedom to decide whether they want to attend Rahul Gandhi’s programme.
Congress leader Nana Patole also linked the Pune incident to the wider political debate over student protests and alleged government action against young protesters.
The BJP, meanwhile, intensified its attack on Rahul Gandhi and Congress over the Pune event. The party alleged that influencers were being offered ₹25,000 to attend the programme and help create crowd-related content.
The BJP said on X that the alleged payment showed weakness in Rahul Gandhi’s leadership. Congress has not responded to that particular allegation, according to media reports.
Rahul Gandhi’s Pune Event Under Spotlight
With Rahul Gandhi scheduled to attend the ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme, security and political tensions around the venue are likely to remain under close watch.
The campus clash has also added another layer to the political confrontation between the Congress and BJP, with both sides presenting sharply different accounts of what happened at COEP.
Police are continuing to monitor the situation as authorities prepare for Rahul Gandhi’s visit.
