HighLights
  1. ABVP and NSUI clashed outside COEP University hostel.
  2. Incident occurred before Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event.
  3. Police detained individuals, investigating mutual assault allegations.

Ahead of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event scheduled in Pune, tensions flared outside the hostel gate of COEP Technological University between ABVP workers and National Students' Union of India (NSUI) members on Friday night.

A clash reportedly broke out between workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the NSUI, the student wing of the Congress, at COEP Technological University in Pune's Shivajinagar area. According to reports, ABVP workers raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi and attempted to block the road in protest outside the hostel gates.

The incident allegedly took place between 8:30 pm and 11 pm on Friday. Police were called to the spot and detained several people involved in the clash. Pune DCP Hasan Gauhar said on Friday night, "We received information about a clash between two groups. Upon reaching the spot, we found some people raising slogans and attempting to block the road; they were detained. Further investigation is underway."

A case was registered at Shivajinagar Police Station based on a complaint filed by 21-year-old student Malhar Nilesh Patil.

According to the complaint, a video statement by a student was allegedly recorded under pressure at the COEP hostel on Friday. Patil, along with ABVP members, reportedly went to the hostel to enquire about the matter and discuss it.

Both student organisations have accused each other of physical assault during the incident. The confrontation has heightened tensions on campus amid an already charged political atmosphere in Pune ahead of Rahul Gandhi's event.

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However, the exact background of the dispute and the trigger for the clash have not yet been officially clarified. Police are investigating the matter.

Harshwardhan Sapkal Targets Opponents

Following the incident, Maharashtra Youth Congress posted on X, accusing ABVP workers of harassing women in colleges across the city and asserting that Congress workers were ready to confront these "goons".

"Just before Rahul Gandhi ji's historic Pune Rally, ABVP's goons are going to colleges and hostels, threatening our daughters, holding them hostage, beating them up, but now they shouldn't dare to make this mistake, because Congress workers are now ready to give them a reply in their own language," the post read.

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Maharashtra Congress State President Harshwardhan Sapkal also issued a sharp response, levelling serious allegations against his political opponents. He claimed there is widespread discontent in Pune over the quality of education, campus facilities and various student grievances.

Police detains several ABVP workers (Photo/ANI)

(Police detains several ABVP workers: Photo/ANI)

Sapkal stated, "There is massive dissatisfaction in Pune concerning educational standards, amenities, and student concerns. Rahul Gandhi's programme is receiving overwhelming support from students. This has knocked the ground out from under our opponents' feet. There is a conspiracy to deploy hired thugs to disrupt the event and stage stunts."

He alleged that opponents were uneasy over the positive reception to Rahul Gandhi's programme and were attempting to disrupt the atmosphere by instigating violence among students.

Meanwhile, Pune Police registered a case against six named persons and around 50-60 alleged NSUI and Youth Congress workers in connection with an alleged assault on an ABVP student at the COEP Technological University hostel in Shivajinagar, police said on Saturday.

The complainant alleged that when they reached the hostel, Pushkar Aavnave, Bhushan Ranbhire, Akshay Jain, Saurabh Amrale, Sagar Dhadve and Prathamesh Aavnave, along with around 50-60 workers associated with NSUI and Youth Congress, allegedly abused and assaulted him.

Police said further investigation into the matter is underway.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday invited women to participate in the "Chhatron Ki Goonj" programme in Pune, saying the event would provide a platform to discuss their experiences, concerns and challenges.

The programme will be held at AISSMS College Ground in Pune on Saturday and will focus on issues faced by Indian women.

The "Chhatron Ki Goonj" event has been organised to provide a platform for students to raise their concerns. During the programme, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to interact with students on issues including the quality of education, rising tuition fees, employment opportunities, academic facilities and other major concerns.


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