{
  "id": 8659707,
  "title": "Rahul Gandhi flags lack of hostels for female students, seeks answers from PM Modi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/rahul-gandhi-flags-lack-of-hostels-for-female-students-seeks-answers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T09:34:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rahul-gandhi-flags-lack-of-hostels-for-female-students-seeks-answers-from-pm-modi/article71487489.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 20, 2026, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about the absence of hostels for female students in India, seeking answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During a Chhatron Ki Goonj event in Indore, a female student asked Gandhi why the government spends money on lighting diyas but not on providing hostels. Gandhi recounted the student's concerns about staying in private accommodations due to safety and financial worries, including monthly rent and the fear of homelessness. He stated, \"सरकार के पास दिया जलाने के लिए पैसा है - हमारे हॉस्टल के लिए क्यों नहीं?\" (The government has money to light diyas - why not for our hostels?). Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister, asking, \"Narendra Modi ji - Do you have any answer to that little girl's question?\" He criticized the government for not addressing the lack of hostels, arguing that there is no adequate infrastructure, quality teachers, or job opportunities for India's youth. Gandhi accused the government of having a \"rotten system\" that targeted students, preventing them from questioning authority and seeking answers. He alleged that the system, which he claimed included figures like Prime Minister Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and industrialists like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, controlled various aspects of the country's political, institutional, and economic life.",
  "summary": "Rahul Gandhi has raised concerns about the lack of hostel facilities for female students in India. He shared an account from a female student who had to move from her village to Indore for studies but couldn't find a hostel, forcing her to stay in a paying guest accommodation. This, Gandhi said, resulted in significant expenses and worries about monthly rent and homelessness.\n\nGandhi questioned the government's priorities, citing the example of large-scale diya-lighting events held for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday. He asked why the government couldn't allocate funds for hostels when it had money for such events. According to Hindustan Times, Gandhi also expressed concerns about the housing allowance, stating that it doesn't increase with inflation and is often affected by corruption.\n\nThe Congress leader claimed that many girls discontinue their education due to the lack of safe and affordable accommodation. He highlighted the difficulties faced by female students, including the need to spend lakhs to stay safe and the fear of becoming homeless while pursuing their studies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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."
}