Police stops Rahul Gandhi's convoy, Congress leader walks on foot towards event venue in Bihar

Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was stopped by police on Thursday while attempting to visit the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, where he was scheduled to interact with students as part of the party’s ongoing ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ campaign. The event aimed to engage Dalit students on issues related to education, job opportunities, and student welfare.

The Congress had initially planned to hold the programme at the government-run hostel in Madarpur. However, District Welfare Officer Alok Kumar denied permission, citing concerns about potential disruption to the hostel environment. District Magistrate Rajiv Roshan stated, “An event like this cannot be allowed in a hostel setting. We’ve offered Town Hall as an alternative venue. They are welcome to hold it there.” Section 163 was reportedly enforced near the hostel premises.

Despite the administrative restrictions, Rahul Gandhi proceeded towards the hostel with his convoy. He was stopped near Khanqah Chowk but chose to continue on foot toward the hostel, accompanied by Congress workers. Protesters, including National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) members and local Congress leaders, gathered at the hostel and raised slogans demanding the event be held at the originally planned venue.

Congress national media coordinator Abhay Dubey addressed a press conference in Patna, alleging that students from districts like Madhubani and Samastipur were being stopped from entering Darbhanga. He claimed, “The administration in Darbhanga is acting at the behest of the JD(U)-BJP combine.” Dubey dismissed the administration’s claims and said the denial of permission was an attempt to prevent interaction with students from deprived communities.

The party accused police of using force against Dalit students and condemned the deployment of security personnel around the hostel. Congress leaders maintained that the ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’ is focused on key issues such as delay in degrees, lack of job opportunities, and student debt—concerns they argue are particularly pressing in Bihar. Later in the day, Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to watch the film Phule in Patna, accompanied by Dalit community members and civil society representatives.