Rahul Gandhi Highlights Women’s Empowerment at 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' Event in Pune, Says ‘You Don’t Belong to Anyone Else, but Yourself’ (Videos)
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, addressed thousands of students at the "Chhatron Ki Goonj" (Echoes of Students) event in Pune, Maharashtra, emphasizing female autonomy, youth empowerment, and personal independence.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi used the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune to deliver a message on women’s autonomy, equality and participation in public life, telling young women: “You don’t belong to anyone else, but yourself.” He described India’s women as a major national asset and said they would play an important role in shaping the country’s future.
The Pune programme was organised specifically for young women as part of Gandhi’s ongoing student outreach initiative. The event also became the focus of a political dispute, with Congress and BJP leaders exchanging allegations over the programme and clashes being reported between student groups. How Rahul Gandhi Got FIR Registered in Pellet Gun Case After 8-Hour Protest - Video Details.
Rahul Gandhi Addresses at 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' Event in Pune
Women are the strength of India - its foundation, its present, and its future.
You belong to no one but yourself.
Be loud. Be proud. Fight for your space.
Smash the patriarchy!#ChhatronKiGoonj pic.twitter.com/sRAbs8m2ZA
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 22, 2026
LIVE: Chhatron Ki Goonj | Women Special Maha Rally | Pune, Maharashtra https://t.co/4j1PYykkNS
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 22, 2026
Rahul Gandhi’s Message to Young Women
Addressing the gathering, Gandhi emphasised that women should have control over their own lives and decisions rather than being defined by their relationships with fathers, husbands or other family members.
He said India has around 70 crore women and described them as the country’s “biggest asset”. Gandhi also said women, in his assessment, are more forward-looking than men and have an important role in determining India’s future. His remarks placed personal independence and women's ability to make their own choices at the centre of the Pune event. Rahul Gandhi Says Nation Must Make Every Person Feel That They Are Loved (Video).
What Is Chhatron Ki Goonj?
Chhatron Ki Goonj is part of Gandhi’s student and youth outreach programme, through which he has been interacting directly with young people on issues affecting their education, careers and future prospects.
The Pune edition adopted a women-focused format, providing young women an opportunity to participate in discussions around their concerns and aspirations. The initiative is also part of the Congress’s broader effort to strengthen its engagement with young voters.
Focus on Women’s Autonomy
Gandhi’s address focused heavily on the idea that women should have identities beyond traditional social and family roles. His statement that women belong to themselves was presented as a broader argument for personal freedom and decision-making. The message comes amid continuing political and social debates in India over women's safety, equality, employment and representation.
Gandhi also invoked the Manusmriti while discussing traditional ideas about women's independence, criticising views that he said restrict women's autonomy.
Political Controversy Surrounds Pune Event
The event was held amid political tensions between the Congress and BJP. According to reports, clashes broke out between members of the Congress-affiliated NSUI and BJP-affiliated ABVP at the COEP hostel in Pune.
The Congress alleged that female students were intimidated and accused the BJP of attempting to disrupt the programme. BJP leaders and supporters rejected the Congress's characterisation and criticised the event. The BJP also referred to the gathering as “Paise Ki Goonj”, while the Congress hit back by saying the response from young people had unsettled the BJP.
Youth and Women at the Centre of Outreach
The Pune event reflects the Congress’s attempt to use direct student interactions as a way of discussing political and social issues with younger audiences. For Gandhi, the women-focused format also provided an opportunity to make a broader argument about women's independence and their role in India's development.
The event combined that political message with a direct interaction with young women, while the controversy surrounding it highlighted the competing political narratives around youth outreach in Pune.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 22, 2026 10:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
