Political tensions flared in Indore on the eve of Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme on 19 September 2026, after more than 100 derogatory hoardings appeared overnight across the city's roads and intersections. The identity of those behind the campaign remains unknown, as no group has publicly claimed responsibility.

The Hoarding Campaign

According to reports, the posters and hoardings — which questioned claims made by Gandhi in his earlier programmes — went up late on Friday night at several locations, including near Kila Maidan and the Mahesh Garden area. A social media page on X titled 'Jhooth ki Goonj' was also created, showcasing images of the posters at various sites. Congress workers moved swiftly on Saturday morning to pull down the hoardings before the event, and the posters could not be independently verified after their removal.

Congress Alleges Deliberate Obstruction

City Congress president Chintu Choukse alleged that opponents had first created administrative hurdles for the event and had now resorted to putting up the hoardings. He maintained that every political party has the right to address the public in a democracy. The Congress has attributed the campaign to an organised effort to disrupt the programme, though no evidence has been presented publicly linking any specific group or party to the action.

Venue and Permission Disputes

The lead-up to 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' was marked by a series of logistical and administrative disputes. The Congress initially sought to hold the event at Nehru Stadium, but the venue was subsequently changed. A plot belonging to the Indore Development Authority (IDA) in front of Regional Park was finalised instead. The IDA allotted 12,000 square metres for three days at a fee of ₹10.08 lakh, subject to five conditions covering permissions, security, parking, and sound systems.

The authority subsequently asked the Congress to deposit an additional ₹4.03 lakh for early access to around 4,800 square metres of the allotted land, which the party paid.

31 Police Conditions and the Rajiv Gandhi Reference

The police imposed 31 conditions on the organisers, covering participant numbers, gender-wise and district-wise details, vehicle registration numbers, parking arrangements, deployment of at least 1,500 volunteers — including a minimum of 500 women — and the creation of six entry and eight exit points, along with emergency corridors. One condition, which reportedly referenced the Verma Committee report prepared in the aftermath of the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, drew sharp objection from Congress leaders.

Event to Proceed as Planned

Despite the multiple hurdles, the party confirmed that 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' will proceed as scheduled on Saturday evening at around 5.30 pm at the ground in front of Regional Park, with Rahul Gandhi's address expected to begin at 7 pm. The event will focus on education, employment, and issues concerning the youth. Whether the controversy surrounding the hoardings and permission disputes intensifies or subsides after the programme is likely to set the political tone in Indore in the days ahead.