Pune Police Impose 30 Conditions for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ Event, Ban Drones

August 20, 2026

Pune: Pune City Police have granted conditional permission for Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student outreach programme scheduled for August 22, imposing 30 mandatory conditions for security and maintenance of public order.

The event will be held at the SSPMS College Ground and is expected to attract between 8,000 and 10,000 people. The programme is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The initiative focuses on student-related issues, including alleged paper leaks, examination irregularities, rising education fees and concerns related to employment and recruitment.

Pune Police issue 30-point guidelines

In an official directive issued to former MLA and Maharashtra Congress Senior Vice President Mohan Joshi, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-5) Rajlakshmi Shivankar laid down 30 conditions for the event.

The police have prohibited the display of provocative or objectionable images, banners and portraits during the programme.

The organisers have also been warned that they will be held responsible for any law-and-order problem arising from the event.

No drones allowed at event

The Pune Police have imposed a complete ban on the use of drone cameras for photography or videography during the programme.

The organisers have also been directed not to use high-intensity beam lights projected towards the sky and to comply with regulations of the Airport Authority of India and CISF.

Separate entry and exit arrangements

The organisers must ensure that attendance does not exceed the permitted capacity of the venue.

At least four separate entry and exit gates are required, along with separate seating arrangements for men and women.

Entry points must have enclosed areas for frisking female attendees. Such frisking must be carried out exclusively by female security personnel, with male volunteers barred from undertaking the responsibility.

The organisers have also been directed to ensure adequate deployment of female volunteers to assist private security personnel.

CCTV and stage safety made mandatory

The stage and marquee must have certified structural arrangements and a mandatory Public Works Department (PWD) fitness certificate.

A D-cordon protective barricade must also be installed in front of the main stage.

The venue is required to have functional CCTV surveillance covering the premises during both day and night.

Noise restrictions and traffic arrangements

The police have directed organisers to comply with Supreme Court-prescribed noise limits and ensure that the programme does not cause inconvenience to nearby residents, senior citizens, schools, hospitals or Pune Railway Station.

The organisers must also obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Fire and Traffic departments before the event.

Permit can be revoked for violations

Pune City Police have warned that any violation of the conditions or any law-and-order issue could result in the immediate cancellation of permission and possible legal action against those responsible.

Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign

Rahul Gandhi launched ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ as a nationwide student outreach campaign focused on issues concerning education and recruitment.

The campaign has raised concerns including examination irregularities and paper leaks, rising education fees, privatisation of higher education and unemployment linked to alleged irregularities in competitive recruitment.

The Pune programme on August 22 will specifically provide a platform for young women students to raise their concerns.

Announcing the Pune event, Rahul Gandhi said the programme would be exclusively for girls and that their voices would be heard across the country.