Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to address students at the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” event on July 17th. The event was scheduled to be held at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, booked by the State Congress Committee for three days, and the committee had already paid the fees. However, three days before the event, on July 14th, the administration cancelled it. During the event, they demanded a new venue for the event, which will now be held at the Bannu School Ground in Dehradun. It is reported that late at night, a truck loaded with supplies was sent from the Parade Ground to Bannu School, leading to a heated altercation between Congress leaders and workers and the police.
Following the uproar at the Parade Ground late at night on July 14th, Congress leaders and workers gathered at the Congress state headquarters, where they arrived, having been informed by the police administration. The administration had erected barricades and deployed a large police force before the parade ground. Despite this, Congress workers broke through the barricades and proceeded towards the parade ground, engaging in a heated argument with the police.
Upon reaching the parade ground, they entered the ground through a gate, broke the lock, and opened the gate, after which Congress workers created a massive uproar inside the parade ground. Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal, along with Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh, and Harak Singh Rawat, were also present during the protest. When the administration did not relent, Congress leaders decided after the protest that they would organize Rahul Gandhi’s program at the ground suggested by the administration, and preparations would begin soon.
Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal stated that Congress is not averse to this government’s decision. The government has the intention to answer to the court, and transparency is the government’s responsibility. However, the government has been exposed, and therefore, Rahul Gandhi’s rally on July 17th will be historic. He also described the Parade Ground protest as a warning to the government. He urged the government to desist from its actions, warning that their downfall is beginning. He also stated that wherever a youth stands, a line is drawn. Uttarakhand needs change because the BJP government has pushed the state into the abyss.
Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya stated that the Parade Ground was completely empty, so permission was sought from the Municipal Corporation for the event, which was granted. However, the 170,000 rupee fee was also deposited. Despite this, the reason for revoking the permission is clear: the government is afraid of Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi is currently organizing the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program across the country. This program began in Kota, Rajasthan. Rahul Gandhi wants to expand this organizational campaign across the country. He has also instructed all his front and cell organizations to work with the NSUI to reach out to students at the district level and, under the name of the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program, communicate issues such as paper leaks, recruitment scams, expensive education, and shortcomings in the education system. Under this, Rahul Gandhi’s rally is proposed in Dehradun on July 17, which can also be seen as a show of strength before the Uttarakhand Assembly elections 2027.