U.P. Congress chief Ajay Rai said the proposed interaction with students will be held in Prayagraj on August 8.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Congress on Thursday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of creating obstacles in the upcoming ‘Chhatraon Ki Goonj’ interaction scheduled between students and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.
Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai said the party will go ahead with Mr. Gandhi’s proposed interaction with students in Prayagraj on August 8 despite the Kayastha Pathshala (KP) Trust revoking permission for the venue (KP Ground).
“No matter how many obstacles the BJP government creates, the programme will be organised on the holy land of Prayagraj on August 8 at any cost. First in Kota (Rajasthan), then in Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and now in Prayagraj – the BJP government is making unsuccessful attempts everywhere to stop this historic dialogue between the youth and Rahul Gandhi. But the voice of the youth of the country cannot be suppressed.”
He added that permission was granted on July 31. “We have paid the requisite fee of ₹51,000. Wherever Rahul Gandhi’s programmes are happening, the BJP government attempts to cancel it,” Mr. Rai alleged.
The statement comes a day after the KP Trust cancelled permission for the event, citing an Allahabad High Court order dated August 14, 2025, which bars use of the ground for purposes other than sports and educational activities.
Mr. Gandhi also reacted over the issue. “Students of Allahabad University are fighting for their future against fee hikes and seat cuts. But instead of listening to the students, the administration is filing FIRs against them… No matter how hard the government tries, it cannot stop me from raising the voice of the students,” he wrote on X.
Published – August 06, 2026 11:37 pm IST
