COEP Hostel Clash: Congress-NSUI, ABVP Trade Allegations Ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s Pune Student Event

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Shivajinagar, 21st August 2026: Tensions escalated at the COEP Technological University hostel premises in Pune on Friday night, August 21, a day before Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ student interaction programme in the city. Workers and supporters of the Congress-NSUI and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) confronted each other, with both sides making allegations of intimidation and assault.

Police were called to the COEP hostel premises after members of the two groups gathered and raised slogans. The confrontation reportedly centred on two female students who had earlier spoken to the media about their scholarship-related concerns.

Congress-NSUI alleges students were pressured
NSUI representative Sidhant Jambhulkar alleged that the two students were being forcibly kept inside the premises after they recorded videos and spoke publicly about their scholarship concerns. He also alleged that ABVP and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) members had gathered outside the hostel.

Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar also reached the hostel premises and alleged that ABVP workers had confined and threatened the students. He demanded police action against those responsible.

The allegations come after some COEP students reportedly raised concerns over not receiving scholarships for the past three years. The issue was expected to be raised during Rahul Gandhi’s interaction with students in Pune on Saturday.

Akshay Jain, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Youth Congress media department, said the incident was “extremely unfortunate” and claimed that two female students had only sought to highlight their scholarship-related grievances.

“Our position is very clear — students should not be dragged into the politics of any party. Instead, they should be able to raise their voices fearlessly,” Jain said.

He demanded an impartial police inquiry and said the issue should be discussed rather than students being pressured ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s interaction.

Jain also claimed that a Youth Congress worker was injured in the incident and admitted to Sancheti Hospital in Pune.
ABVP makes counter-allegations
ABVP state minister Atharva Kulkarni rejected the allegations and accused Congress and NSUI workers of entering the COEP campus and assaulting students.

Kulkarni alleged that around 100–150 Congress-NSUI workers had gathered on the campus and that female students were assaulted. He further alleged that students who attempted to intervene were attacked.
He also accused Congress and NSUI workers of pressuring students in connection with Rahul Gandhi’s programme.

“Students should not be assaulted or intimidated. If anyone raises a hand against students, we will respond,” Kulkarni said.

ABVP also alleged that NSUI workers entered the female students’ hostel area and created a disturbance while attempting to influence their statements.
Conflicting versions under police scrutiny
The incident has resulted in sharply conflicting claims from the two student organisations.

Congress-NSUI has alleged that students were being confined and pressured over statements concerning their scholarship issues, while ABVP has accused Congress-NSUI workers of entering the campus and assaulting students.

The allegations made by either side have not been independently established. The police inquiry is expected to establish the sequence of events and determine whether students were confined, assaulted or pressured to make statements.

Rahul Gandhi’s Pune event on Saturday
The confrontation took place hours before Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at the SSPMS College ground near RTO Chowk.

The programme is scheduled from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm and is expected to focus on issues concerning female students, including education, safety, equality, competitive examinations and career opportunities. Police have estimated that around 8,000 to 10,000 people could attend the event. However, Congress party has claimed more than 40,000 students have registered for the event.

Pune Police have granted permission for the programme subject to 30 conditions. These include restrictions on objectionable banners, photographs and other material, along with directions to ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt and that the programme does not create a law-and-order situation.

The organisers have also been directed to make arrangements for security, separate facilities for men and women, adequate entry and exit points, drinking water, temporary toilets, fire-safety equipment and parking. Private security personnel, including women security guards, are also required.

With the COEP hostel confrontation occurring on the eve of the event, police are expected to maintain heightened security around the programme venue and other sensitive locations in Pune.