Pune, 22nd August 2026: Tension was reported at COEP Technological University on Friday evening, a day before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student interaction program in Pune.
The situation developed after ABVP workers gathered near the COEP hostel and main gate and raised slogans. Congress and NSUI workers were also present in the nearby SSPMS campus. The two groups came face-to-face, leading to a brief confrontation and creating tension in the area.
ABVP workers alleged that Congress and NSUI members entered the COEP hostel and assaulted female students. They also alleged that students were being pressured to attend Saturday’s program.
ABVP state minister Atharva Kulkarni said, “Students are being pressured to attend Rahul Gandhi’s program because the organisers are unable to attract an audience. Around 100 to 150 Congress and NSUI workers entered the COEP campus and assaulted female students. Students who tried to stop them were also attacked.”
Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress media department president Akshay Jain said the incident should not be viewed only as a political confrontation. According to him, two female students had raised concerns regarding their scholarship-related issues at COEP.
Jain said, “Two female students raised their concerns about scholarship-related issues at COEP today. If a student feels pressured or afraid to raise a concern, this is not merely a political issue but a matter of students’ rights. Rahul Gandhi will interact with thousands of students in Pune, and their concerns should be discussed rather than their voices being suppressed. We are here not to engage in a confrontation, but to take students’ concerns to Rahul Gandhi.”
Police reached the campus after receiving information about the confrontation and separated the two groups. The situation was brought under control without further escalation.
Security has since been increased around COEP and the surrounding area. Additional police personnel have been deployed ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ program, scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the SSPMS school ground.
The event is expected to draw a large number of students, with police making additional security arrangements in view of the gathering.