Rahul Gandhi's UP event gets clearance. But there are conditions

The conditional clearance for Rahul Gandhi's student interaction came after the Congress accused the Uttar Pradesh government of using administrative pressure to prevent the programme.

In Short

• The trust asked organisers to avoid disrupting classes and campus routines
• District magistrate clearance remains necessary before the student interaction proceeds
• Congress accused the Uttar Pradesh government of pressuring organisers to withdraw

A day after the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) Trust revoked permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's proposed 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme at KP Ground in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj, the trust late Thursday allowed the event to go ahead, subject to certain conditions.

The decision came amid a political row, with the Congress accusing the UP government of attempting to derail the August 8 event by pressuring the venue provider to withdraw permission.

Acting president of the KP Trust, Jitendra Nath Chaudhary, told PTI that the organisers had been granted permission after consultations with legal experts. The conditions include ensuring that teaching and academic activities at KP College are not disrupted.

"After consulting advocates of the high court, the organisers have been granted permission to hold the programme subject to certain conditions. These include ensuring that teaching and academic activities at the college are not disrupted, and obtaining permission from the district magistrate," he said.

The trust had on Wednesday withdrawn its earlier approval for the event, citing an Allahabad High Court order dated August 14, 2025, which restricts the use of the KP College ground to sports and educational activities.

It had also cited waterlogging at the venue following recent rains.

Earlier on Thursday, Congress leaders alleged that the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government was trying to prevent the programme from taking place because Rahul Gandhi has been consistently raising issues concerning students through the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' campaign.

Addressing a joint press conference in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam, along with MPs Kishori Lal Sharma, Tanuj Punia and Imran Masood, claimed the administration was intimidating the venue provider into cancelling the event.

Gautam asserted that lakhs of students had registered for the interaction and maintained that the programme would be held as scheduled.

"Lakhs of students have registered for this interactive event, and students across the country are eagerly awaiting it. The event will be held at the scheduled venue," Gautam asserted.

In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai also reiterated that the party would go ahead with Gandhi's interaction despite the earlier revocation of permission.

According to Gandhi's itinerary shared by Rai, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha will leave Delhi by a special flight at 2 pm on August 8, reach Prayagraj around 3.30 pm, visit Anand Bhavan and then attend the student interaction at KP Ground from 6 pm to 8.30 pm before returning to Delhi later that night.

Accusing the BJP government of misusing the law for political purposes, Gautam said the Congress was organising the event in accordance with all legal requirements and urged the Uttar Pradesh government and the Prayagraj administration not to obstruct it.

Congress MP Tanuj Punia alleged that the BJP was trying to stop the programme because it feared growing support for Gandhi among young people, adding that the party would continue to raise issues affecting students.

- Ends