The Pune City Police has issued conditional approval for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s initiative, “Chhatron Ki Goonj,” scheduled for August 22 at the SSPMS College Ground. The event aims to address significant concerns in the education sector, including paper leaks, exam irregularities, and the rising cost of education. It is anticipated that the programme will attract between 8,000 to 10,000 participants and will take place from 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

In a directive to Mohan Joshi, former MLA and Senior Vice President of Maharashtra Congress, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-5) Rajlakshmi Shivankar outlined 30 stringent regulations aimed at ensuring public safety and order during the gathering. Among these conditions, organisers are held liable for any incidents that may disrupt law and order.

One key stipulation is the prohibition of provocative images, banners, or portraits during the event. The police have emphasised that the organisers will assume full responsibility for managing the event safely and lawfully, including any potential disturbances.

Specific Guidelines for Organisers

The event must adhere to strict venue capacity limits to prevent overcrowding. Organisers are mandated to establish a minimum of four entry and exit gates, alongside designated seating areas for both men and women. Additionally, entry points will feature enclosed frisking facilities for female attendees, operated solely by female security personnel. Male volunteers are explicitly prohibited from conducting frisking duties.

Proper setup of the stage and marquee is required, along with a Public Works Department (PWD) fitness certificate. A protective barricade, referred to as a “D-cordon,” must be installed in front of the main stage. Furthermore, comprehensive day-and-night CCTV surveillance is compulsory across the venue to enhance security.

Notably, the use of drone cameras for photography or videography has been entirely banned, in addition to high-intensity lights projected into the sky. Compliance with regulations set by the Airport Authority of India and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is also essential.

Obligations to the Community and Legal Compliance

Additionally, the event proceedings must adhere to Supreme Court noise level regulations to ensure that disruptions to local residents, senior citizens, nearby schools, hospitals, or the Pune Railway Station are avoided. Organisers are tasked with obtaining formal No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from relevant authorities, including the Fire and Traffic departments, prior to the event.

The Pune City Police have issued a warning that failure to comply with any of the stipulated conditions or disregard for law and order could result in the immediate cancellation of the event permit and legal repercussions. The police are taking these measures to maintain a peaceful environment during the gathering, underscoring the importance of safety in public events.

Launched in mid-2026, “Chhatron Ki Goonj” is a nationwide campaign initiated by Rahul Gandhi to create a platform for addressing student grievances related to education and job prospects. The movement focuses on issues such as exam discrepancies, increasing fees, and unemployment aggravated by corruption in competitive recruitment processes.

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