The political landscape in Dehradun has witnessed a significant shift as the venue for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's upcoming interaction with students, titled 'Chhatron Ki Goonj,' has been officially changed. Originally slated to be held at the Parade Ground on July 17, the event will now take place at the Bannu School Ground. This decision follows a period of intense political drama and administrative hurdles that led to the cancellation of the initial permission for the Parade Ground. The Congress party has accused the Uttarakhand state government of using administrative machinery to block the event, claiming that the government is intimidated by the impact of Rahul Gandhi's visit.
Administrative Cancellation and Political Backlash
The controversy began when the district administration revoked the permission previously granted for the Parade Ground. Congress leaders expressed their outrage, stating that the move was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the program. The administration reportedly cited a scheduled government event at the same venue as the reason for the cancellation. However, Congress leaders challenged this claim, asserting that no actual activities were being conducted at the site, while the party alleged that the decision was made under direct pressure from the ruling government to prevent the large-scale gathering of students and youth leaders.
Late Night Protest by Congress Leadership
The situation escalated on Tuesday night when top Congress leaders in Uttarakhand took to the streets. Despite the lack of permission, Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal, former State President Pritam Singh, senior leader Harak Singh Rawat, and Co-in-charge Manoj Yadav led a large group of workers from the party headquarters to the Parade Ground at around 11 PM. The march saw heated exchanges and minor scuffles between the police and Congress workers as the latter attempted to enter the ground. Upon reaching the venue, the leaders and workers staged a sit-in protest, raising slogans against the state government and the district administration for their perceived bias.
Financial Discrepancies and Safety Concerns
During the protest at the Parade Ground, Ganesh Godiyal highlighted the financial aspects of the venue booking. He revealed that while the standard fee for the ground was 65000 rupees, the Congress party had deposited a much higher amount of 177000 rupees to secure the location for three days. Godiyal argued that the sudden withdrawal of permission, despite the payment of excess fees, was a clear indication of political vendetta. He stated that the government's actions were a sign of fear regarding the success of the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative.
Final Decision on Bannu School Ground
Despite their initial stance to hold the event at the Parade Ground, the Congress leadership eventually decided to change the venue to the Bannu School Ground. Ganesh Godiyal explained that this decision was taken primarily to ensure the safety and security of the students and parents expected to attend the event. He emphasized that the party didn't want to put the participants at risk of any administrative or police action. The party's priority is to provide a safe environment where students can voice their concerns and interact with Rahul Gandhi without any fear. The program is still scheduled for July 17, and the party is now focusing its efforts on making the event a success at the new location.