New Delhi, 21 August—Alarmed with the growing appeal of Rahul Gandhi’s Chatron ki Goonj’ ongoing program among the country’s students and youth, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched an extensive campaign to project the popular interactive show in negative light with the ruling party accusing the Congress of paying social media influencers ₹25,000 to attend event in Pune scheduled on August 22.
In the backdrop of the earlier three similar programs in Kota, Dehradun and Prayagraj receiving enthusiastic response from the student community, the ruling dispensation’s ‘Dirty Trick’ Department has crafted a massive campaign to show Leader of the Opposition Gandhi and his outreach programs in negative light among the people at large, sources said.
The BJP shared a video today which allegedly claims a phone conversation between a social media influencer with a worker of the Congress party who asks her to attend the event and highlight it on her social media handle. The person on the other side of the phone can be heard telling the social media influencer, whose identity is not known, that she will be paid ₹25,000 which will also cover her travel expenses, to attend the event in Pune.
Though the caller, who identifies himself as ‘Shantanu’, does not explicitly mention Rahul Gandhi, ‘Chhatron Ki Gunj’ programme or any other identifier of the event, he can be heard telling the social media influencer that the event will take place on “22nd” and that she can upload the content related to it later that day or the next day.
“Even public support has to be bought for Rahul Gandhi,” the BJP wrote in a post on X as it shared the purported video clip.
“Look at this video. Influencers are being offered ₹25,000 just to attend his Pune event. Rahul Gandhi’s leadership is so weak that even event attendance needs to be paid for. Yet, he questions EVMs whenever he loses,” it said.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s nationwide student outreach initiative “Chhatron Ki Gunj” is scheduled for August 22 at the SSPMS College Ground in Pune. The upcoming event, specifically focused on providing a platform for young women, is expected to draw a crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 attendees between 4:30 pm and 9:30 pm, reports in the media said.
Maharashtra’s BJP led state government is trying to create as many as hurdles possible to derail the program. Earlier it had imposed curfew in Pune and then reluctantly granted permission after it was felt that denying permission may backfire.
While granting permission for the event, Pune Police set a list of conditions to maintain public order and security.
Some of the directives include prohibition on displaying of provocative images, banners, or portraits. The police noted that the event’s organisers will bear complete legal responsibility if any untoward incident triggers a lawand order disruption.
“Objectionable images, portraits, or banners must not be displayed during the program; additionally, if any untoward incident takes place leading to a law-and-order issue, the entire responsibility will lie on the organisers,” the police directive stated.
Attendance must not exceed the venue’s maximum capacity. The organisers are required to set up at least four separate entry and exit gates and establish distinct seating areas for men and women.
Entry points must feature enclosed spaces for frisking female attendees, staffed exclusively by female security personnel. Male volunteers are strictly barred from frisking duties, and organisers must ensure a high proportion of female volunteers to assist private security.
The stage and marquee require certified setup and a mandatory Public Works Department (PWD) fitness certificate, alongside a “D-cordon” protective barricade in front of the main stage. Fully functional day-and-night CCTV coverage across the venue is compulsory.
Drone cameras for photography or videography are completely banned, as is the use of high-intensity beam lights projected into the sky. Compliance with Airport Authority of India and CISF regulations is required.
Proceedings must comply with Supreme Court noise level restrictions and avoid causing disruptions to residents, senior citizens, nearby schools, hospitals, or the Pune Railway Station.
Organisers must secure formal No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from both the Fire and Traffic departments prior to the event.
The Pune City Police warned that non-compliance or any breach of law and order will lead to the immediate revocation of the event permit and potential legal action.
Veteran Journalist and Political Commentator
