INC pays Rs 25,000 to influencers for 'Chaatro ki Goonj' event, says BJP; Exposing 'unreal craze' for RaGa among female GenZs further

A man identified as Shantanu is heard instructing a woman to create 2-3 videos covering the event in exchange for Rs 25,000

NewsBharati    21-Aug-2026 14:14:45 PM
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On Friday, August 21, a video related to Congress's 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' went viral on social media, showing how Congress is paying Rs 25,000 to women influencers to be a part of the event. The video was initially posted by the BJP, alleging that the Congress was making failed attempts to gather crowds for the event that is slated to happen in Maharashtra's Pune city on Saturday, August 22. 
 
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Congress leader's viral call screenshot (L), Rahul Gandhi (R) (Image- FPJ) 

"Rahul Gandhi Caught in 4K! Offering 25-25 thousand rupees directly to social media influencers to show crowds in Pune? Why this failed attempt to gather crowds not on the strength of ideas, but on the force of money? In democracy, what’s needed is the true support of the people, not paid PR stunts!" BJP Gujarat's comment on X, formerly Twitter, read. 
 
 

In the video, a man identified as Shantanu is heard instructing a woman to create 2-3 videos covering the event in exchange for Rs 25,000. He tells her to film segments of Rahul Gandhi's speech and the crowd, and suggests she could also put together an opinion piece or interview attending students about their impressions of the event and of Rahul Gandhi. He adds that the videos should be posted from her own account rather than as a collaboration, and that she has until the night of August 22 or the morning of August 23 to put them up.
 

When tracked, the phone number displayed on the screen led the social media users to know the name of the caller, which is Raj Shantanu from Delhi. The phone number revealed that the caller is associated with JNU Delhi and also that he is an ardent follower of Rahul Gandhi. 
 
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Screenshots making rounds on social media (x/@abaranwal1802) 

In one of the Twitter posts, Shantanu attempted to portray how Rahul Gandhi had an 'unreal craze' among Gen Zs, especially the females. He also added that Gandhi blushed after conversing with the female Gen Zs. 

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Shantanu further claimed that Pune Police had restricted assembly for the next 14 days ahead of the 'Chhatro Ki Goonj' event. The reality, as mentioned by the reports, is that the police action has cited law-and-order concerns ahead of festivals. 

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Deputy Commissioner of police, Special Branch, Prashant Amrutkar, in the order cited the possibility of protests, demonstrations and bandhs by political parties and social organisations ahead of Eid-e-Milad, Narali Purnima and Rakshabandhan.

It is important to note that the Pune Police have granted permission for the event, subject to 30 conditions. As per the reports, the organisers have been told to avoid displaying any objectionable images, pictures or banners, and will bear responsibility if any incident disrupts law and order at the venue. Police have also instructed them to arrange adequate security, separate spaces for men and women, enough entry and exit points, drinking water, toilets, fire-safety equipment and parking.
 

The organisers must deploy private security staff, including women guards, and rely heavily on volunteers, especially women, while keeping CCTV cameras running across the venue at all times, the police said. They've also been directed to follow Supreme Court guidelines on noise limits, along with the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Additionally, police have banned drone photography at the venue and asked organisers to keep emergency access clear for police, medical and fire personnel. The event will run from 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm at SSPMS College ground near RTO Chowk, Pune, with an expected turnout of 8,000 to 10,000 people.
 
About Chhatro Ki Goonj event: 

'Chhatron Ki Goonj' (Voice of Students) is Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ongoing student outreach campaign. In its Pune event, Congress says that Gandhi is supposed to address issues that are women-centric. This is the fourth segment of the campaign.
 
Earlier editions were held in Kota, Dehradun, and Prayagraj on July 17 and August 8, respectively. Gandhi originally launched the campaign from Kota, a coaching hub in Rajasthan, on June 17 to highlight issues in the education sector and problems faced by students. The event is dedicated to only female students and will focus on education, safety, equality, competitive examinations, and career opportunities, though problems as being highlighted by the Congress are also faced by male students. 

 
Chhatro Ki Goonj INC Congress Rahul Gandhi Pune