Congress Worker Dies After Iron Rod Falls On Him At Rahul Gandhi Event In Dehradun
- A Congress worker was killed at Rahul Gandhi's event in Dehradun
- An iron rod fell on the worker, causing fatal injuries
- The event 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' was scheduled for July 17
- The venue was shifted from Parade Ground after denial of permission
Worker Killed In Freak Accident At Congress Event
A Congress worker died in Dehradun on Thursday after an iron rod fell on him at a venue where party leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to hold a student interaction programme. The incident took place during preparations for the event, which was part of Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative.
The worker was at the venue when the iron rod fell from a height, causing severe injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him dead. Local police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials have not yet released the worker's name.
Event Venue Changed Amid Political Tensions
The programme, originally planned for the Parade Ground in Dehradun, was moved to an alternative location after the district administration denied permission for the use of the ground. The Congress accused the Uttarakhand government of trying to foil the event, but party leaders claimed a huge turnout was expected regardless.
Rahul Gandhi, who arrived in Dehradun on Thursday, was scheduled to address students on July 17 as part of his ongoing campaign against paper leaks and unemployment. The Congress has been pushing a youth-focused agenda in Uttarakhand, with Gandhi leading the charge on issues of job security and education reform.
Gandhi's Strong Words On Paper Leaks
Ahead of the Dehradun leg of his tour, Gandhi had made strong remarks about paper leaks, calling them 'theft' rather than mere leaks. 'This isn't a paper leak—it's theft,' he said, referring to the widespread issue of competitive exam paper leaks that have affected thousands of students across the country.
The Congress leader has been using the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' platform to connect with students and address their grievances, particularly around recruitment exams and government job processes. The party hopes to leverage student discontent in Uttarakhand, a state with a significant youth population, ahead of upcoming elections.
What To Watch
The Congress is expected to hold the event on Friday despite the tragedy. Party leaders will likely use the incident to highlight what they call administrative hostility in Uttarakhand. Police investigations into the worker's death will also be closely watched, with opposition parties demanding accountability for the safety lapse.