Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) on Sunday held a student outreach convention, ‘Samwad With Student Leaders,’ at Janeshwar Mishra Park, aiming to connect with campus politics and young voters across the state.The programme brought together sitting and former student union presidents, office-bearers and campus representatives from major universities and colleges to discuss Uttar Pradesh’s social, educational and political issues.UPCC president Ajay Rai, who presided over the convention, said the party would stand firmly with students and young activists. “Any injustice against students and student leaders will not be tolerated. The struggle of our youth is my personal struggle, and their pain is my pain,” Rai said. Describing student activists as a key social force, he warned that Congress would take to the streets if students faced victimisation, harassment or other pressure on campuses.All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Uttar Pradesh Rajendra Pal Gautam attended as chief speaker. Stressing youth participation in governance and state-building, Gautam said democratic empowerment begins by listening to young voices. “Youth involvement is critical to shaping the future of both the state and the country. Hearing their aspirations and providing avenues for active democratic engagement remains our priority,” he said, adding that dialogue leads to thought, thought to participation and participation to transformation.AICC secretary and co-in-charge Abdul Hannan also addressed the gathering. The convention was organised by party leaders Pravin Kumar Singh, Rajesh Singh, Tarun Patel and Ashish Dixit.Among those present were former BHU student union president Anil Srivastava, former Allahabad University student union president Sanjay Tiwari, and campus leaders including Brajesh Singh Gat, Pradeep Singh, Manoj Tiwari, Devendra Singh, Ram Awadh Yadav, Om Prakash Pandey, Raghavendra Singh and Vishal Rajput.
