The requirements follow a dispute over the original venue, the postponement of the event and additional charges for the alternative ground. The assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi has entered the controversy surrounding his son Rahul Gandhi’s forthcoming student interaction in Indore, with police citing the Verma Commission while prescribing 31 security conditions for the September 19 programme.
Congress city president Chintu Choukse was handed the conditions along with police permission on Thursday, after the party fulfilled five conditions stipulated by the Indore Development Authority for using its ground opposite Regional Park.
Congress city president Chintu Choukse was handed the conditions along with police permission on Thursday, after the party fulfilled five conditions stipulated by the Indore Development Authority for using its ground opposite Regional Park. The police checklist covers everything from the number of students entering the venue to stage access, surveillance, medical arrangements and emergency evacuation. Organisers must provide details of participants’ arrival, vehicles, routes and parking, together with a scaled layout showing the stage, crowd sectors, gates and parking areas. Attendance must remain within the approved capacity, with police authorised to stop further entry. The conditions also extend to material displayed during the programme. Objectionable or provocative pictures, banners, posters and hoardings are prohibited, as are inflammatory or derogatory remarks that could hurt religious sentiments. Organisers must prepare for adverse weather, draw up an evacuation plan and conduct a mock drill. The document reserves the right to cancel permission for non-compliance and gives police or the district administration the final say on stopping, shortening or postponing the programme during an emergency.
After permission for that venue was refused, Congress shifted the date to September 19 and selected the IDA ground. For Saturday’s programme, the 31 conditions begin with a written affidavit declaring the expected crowd, including separate figures for men and women. A summary of the content proposed for LED screens must be submitted 24 hours in advance, and a recording of the programme must be provided to police. All construction and installation work must be completed by 6 pm on the preceding day, followed by security checks and sealing of the venue.
The “Chhatron Ki Goonj” programme was initially proposed for September 12 at Nehru Stadium.
