Pune (Maharashtra) [India], August 22 (ANI): Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday paid tribute to Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj at AISSMS College here ahead of the Congress party's 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event in the city.
Upon arrival in Pune, Rahul Gandhi wrote on 'X', "Girl Power Ft. Pune."
Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Alka Lamba said the event is dedicated to the "daughters of the nation" and alleged that BJP-led NDA governments had repeatedly attempted to cancel permissions for the programme.
"We have dedicated this event to the daughters of the nation. Rahul Gandhi visits places like Kota, remote areas of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh; today, he stands here in Maharashtra to lend his voice to the cause of our daughters," Lamba said.
Targeting the BJP, she said that merely raising the slogan 'Vande Mataram' would not address issues such as paper leaks, unemployment, inflation, women's safety and the plight of farmers, she said.
National President of the Congress' student wing National Students' Union of India (NSUI) Vinod Jakhar alleged that NSUI activists were attacked by ABVP members on Friday.
"Yesterday, NSUI activists were attacked by ABVP members. NSUI activists had gone to speak with students about issues like fee hikes and delayed scholarships. Students gave video statements expressing their views. When those videos went viral, ABVP members approached them, demanding they retract their statements," Jakhar said.
He alleged that the students' refusal to retract their statements led to an attack and a subsequent clash, adding that cases had been filed against NSUI activists and some students remained hospitalised.
Jakhar further said that thousands of young women had gathered for Rahul Gandhi's event from Pune as well as from different parts of Maharashtra. (ANI)
Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj ahead of 'Chhatron ki Goonj' event dedicated to "daughters of the nation"
