50+ Youth Congress workers detained in Pune after clash with ABVP members ahead of Rahul Gandhi's event

Tensions erupted between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) outside the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP) hostel on Friday evening, just days before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's scheduled 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event in Pune. The confrontation occurred at the hostel located in Shivajinagar, leading to the involvement of local police authorities. Several individuals were detained as a result of the incident, according to reports. The clash unfolded amid heightened anticipation for Gandhi's appearance, which was intended to serve as a platform for female students to voice their concerns and challenges. The event, set to take place at AISSMS College Ground, aimed to address broader societal issues affecting women in India. However, the tensions between ABVP and NSUI escalated outside the COEP hostel, where ABVP members reportedly engaged in protests and attempts to block traffic. These actions were directed against Gandhi, whose presence in Pune has drawn considerable attention. Following the incident, Pune police registered a formal complaint against approximately 50 to 60 individuals linked to the Youth Congress, citing violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include acts such as causing simple physical harm, forming unlawful assemblies, and engaging in criminal intimidation. The FIR was filed based on a complaint submitted by an ABVP member, who alleged that the accused had subjected him to verbal abuse and physical assault. The incident reportedly occurred between 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm on Friday, with police conducting a thorough investigation. ABVP State Secretary Atharva Kulkarni accused NSUI workers of pressuring university students to attend Gandhi's event, claiming that the organizers were struggling to secure an audience. He described how around 100 to 150 NSUI members had entered the COEP campus and reportedly harassed female students, with some students who attempted to intervene being targeted as well. In contrast, NSUI representatives denied these allegations, stating that some students had planned to attend the event to raise concerns regarding scholarship payments they believed were not being disbursed by the state government. They emphasized that they had not engaged in any form of harassment. City Congress youth president Akshay Jain explained that upon learning of the situation, ABVP cadres approached the university to request that students refrain from participating in Gandhi's event. This led to a protest by Congress workers against the ABVP's efforts to deter attendance. Jain also noted that the Congress group had been actively working to ensure the safety and participation of students in the event. In response to the growing unrest, Maharashtra Youth Congress issued a statement on social media, accusing ABVP members of harassing women in the city's educational institutions. The post asserted that Congress workers were prepared to confront the ABVP members, particularly given the proximity of the incident to Gandhi's upcoming rally. The message underscored the significance of the event, framing it as a critical moment for addressing gender-related issues within the community. Pune police had previously granted permission for Gandhi's interaction with female students, subjecting the organizers to 30 conditions designed to maintain public order. These conditions placed responsibility on the organizers to ensure that no activities detrimental to public order occur during the event. Senior Congress leader Mohan Joshi confirmed that the organization would adhere to these guidelines, expressing confidence in the event's successful execution. As the situation continues to unfold, both parties remain engaged in their respective narratives, each emphasizing the importance of their cause while highlighting the need for peaceful resolution. The outcome of the ongoing investigations and the broader implications for the 'Chhatron ki Goonj' campaign will likely shape the discourse surrounding the event and its impact on student activism in the region.