In connection with the 'shirtless protests' during the India AI Impact Summit, Delhi police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib.
Congress raised its strong opposition to the arrest and called the government's move "dictatorial".
"I strongly condemn the illegal arrest of IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib ji and other young comrades by the Delhi Police. The dictatorial government is forgetting that in a democracy, young people raising their voice, asking questions, and protesting is not a crime- it is the strongest weapon of democracy," said senior leader Bhupesh Baghel.
VIDEO | Delhi: On arrest of Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with 'shirtless' protest staged by a group of IYC members at the AI Impact Summit last week, Congress leader Pawan Khera (@Pawankhera) says, "Protesting is the duty and responsibility of the… pic.twitter.com/2MOujnPDLX
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2026
Baghel said that the arrest is not only illegal but also a direct attack on freedom of expression and democracy.
While raising his voice at the AI Summit, Bhanu had said that the youth of the country "will no longer remain silent". He later clarified that the party was not against the AI Summit but firmly opposes "any compromise with India's interests."
He had further alleged that when the nation's farmers are being compromised, anti-India trade agreements are being signed, and the youth are being pushed into hate politics.
"PM is compromised, and that does not mean that the public should remain silent," said Bhanu.
The IYC's 'shirtless' protest at the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam venue had faced backlash not only from the NDA parties but also from some of the INDIA bloc allies. Slamming the protest, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that it brought shame to the nation.
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Defending the protest, IYC's National General Secretary, Shesh Narayan Ojha, on Monday said that "a peaceful demonstration is not 'anti-India'.
Meanwhile, launching a scathing jibe at Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "You are already naked, then why did you feel the need to take off your clothes?" Modi accused Congress of using a global event platform for its "dirty and naked politics."
Delhi Police arrested five people in connection with the protest so far. IYC members Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, Narasimha Yadav and Jitendra Yadav were charged under BNS Sections 121 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy). |
