Pune, 20th August 2026: City Police have granted permission for Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event, scheduled to be held on August 22 at the SSPMS College ground near RTO Chowk. The event will take place between 4:30 pm and 9:30 pm and is expected to draw a crowd of around 8,000 to 10,000 people.
Maharashtra Congress vice-president Mohan Joshi confirmed that the party has received the official permission letter from the police. He said the Congress will strictly adhere to all 30 conditions laid down by the authorities for the smooth conduct of the program.
The police have imposed several restrictions on the event, including a complete ban on offensive photographs, objectionable banners, and posters. Any speech or activity that could hurt religious sentiments has also been prohibited, with organisers made responsible for ensuring discipline and preventing any law-and-order issues.
To ensure security, the organisers have been directed to install CCTV cameras across the entire venue with live monitoring arrangements. They must also deploy private security personnel and volunteers to manage the crowd and maintain order throughout the event.
The guidelines further mandate proper infrastructure, including separate seating arrangements for men and women, sufficient entry and exit points, drinking water facilities, toilets, parking space, and fire safety measures. Authorities have also strictly banned the use of drones at the venue.
Emergency access routes for police, fire brigade, and medical services must remain unobstructed at all times. The police have warned that any violation of rules or disturbance of public order could lead to immediate cancellation of permission.
The approval, however, remains subject to a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the traffic department. With permissions in place, the Congress is now preparing for the event while ensuring full compliance with the conditions set by the Pune City Police.