{
  "id": 8647454,
  "title": "‘Money to light diyas, not for hostels?’ Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi's birthday celebration",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/money-to-light-diyas-not-for-hostels-rahul-gandhi-targets-pm-modis",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T08:32:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/money-to-light-diyas-not-for-hostels-rahul-gandhi-targets-pm-modis-birthday-celebration-101789890582573.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday celebrations, questioning the government's allocation of funds for diya-lighting events instead of providing hostel facilities for female students. Gandhi learned about the issue from a female student at his \"Chhatron Ki Goonj\" program in Indore, who shared her difficulties in finding safe and affordable accommodation while pursuing higher education. The student had to move to Indore for her studies and now resides in a paying guest accommodation due to the lack of hostel options. Gandhi argued that the government spends significant amounts on diyas for Modi's birthday, raising doubt about its commitment to addressing such critical student needs. He also questioned the housing allowance, which remains stagnant due to inflation and is vulnerable to corruption. Gandhi's comments came after large-scale diya-lighting events were held across Madhya Pradesh for Modi's 76th birthday, with an estimated expenditure of ₹5.8 crore to ₹7.2 crore. In Ujjain, over 33.27 lakh diyas were lit along the Shipra river ghats and at Mahakal Lok.",
  "summary": "Rahul Gandhi focused on issues including education, exams, employment and hostel facilities at his latest ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme in Madhya Pradesh.",
  "key_points": [
    "Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi's birthday celebrations",
    "Questions government's diya-lighting funding over hostel facilities",
    "Criticizes stagnant housing allowance vulnerable to corruption"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "‘System afraid of students who ask questions’: Rahul Gandhi in Indore; MP CM hits back",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/system-afraid-of-students-who-ask-questions-rahul-gandhi-in-indore-mp",
        "published": "2026-09-20T03:35:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "BJP-RSS have hollowed out the education system, Rahul Gandhi standing with students: Congress",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/bjp-rss-have-hollowed-out-the-education-system-rahul-gandhi-standing",
        "published": "2026-09-20T07:51:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}