Youth Congress Chief Arrested Over 'Shirtless' AI Summit Protest

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib was arrested on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by Delhi Police in connection with a 'shirtless' protest staged during the high-profile India AI Impact Summit. The demonstration, which saw IYC members removing their outer wear to display T-shirts with slogans critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the India-US trade deal, occurred on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the venue for the summit. Police sources confirmed that Chib was formally arrested after several hours of questioning, with his arrest raising the total number of individuals held in connection with the incident to eight. Among others arrested were Jitendra Yadav, National Coordinator of the IYC, and other office-bearers like Raja Gujar and Vimal Ajay Kumar. Delhi Police alleged that Chib was the 'mastermind' behind the meticulously planned protest, and he was subsequently remanded to four days of police custody by a Delhi court. The protest itself unfolded around 12:30 PM inside one of the exhibition halls during the AI Impact Expo, which ran from February 16-20, 2026. The protesters had reportedly completed the mandatory online registration process to gain entry to the venue using QR codes. Initially dressed casually in sweaters and jackets, they strategically removed these layers inside the hall to reveal inner T-shirts printed with messages such as "PM is compromised" and other politically charged slogans. Videos circulating online captured the moments of the protest, showing IYC members chanting slogans before being escorted out by security personnel. The IYC clarified that their protest was not against the AI Summit itself but rather aimed at highlighting concerns over perceived compromises to India's interests, especially regarding the India-US trade deal and issues like unemployment. The Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, obstructing a public servant in discharge of official functions, and wilful disobedience of lawful orders. The investigation has expanded to probe a wider 'conspiracy angle' and the financial trail behind the protest, including funding for printing the protest slogans on the T-shirts. Police highlighted the breach of security protocols at the high-profile international event, which was attended by dignitaries and delegates from around the world. The incident quickly escalated into a political controversy. Senior academicians described the protest as 'profoundly regrettable and ill-conceived'. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vehemently condemned the act, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself calling it "dirty and naked politics" and accusing the Congress of attempting to tarnish India's image on a global stage. Conversely, the Congress party, including leaders like Bhupesh Baghel and Rahul Gandhi, strongly defended the Youth Congress's actions, calling Chib's arrest 'illegal' and an 'attack on freedom of expression and democracy'. They asserted that peaceful protest is a democratic right and that questioning the government should not be equated with being anti-national. Judicial Magistrate Ravi of the Patiala House Court, while remanding Chib to police custody and denying bail to four other accused earlier, observed that the protest 'transcended the ambit of legitimate dissent' and constituted a 'blatant assault on public order' that imperilled India's diplomatic image before foreign stakeholders. The court noted the premeditated nature of the intrusion into the high-security venue and the potential for absconding associates and tampering with evidence. The case has since been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch for further investigation by the Inter-State Cell (ISC), indicating the authorities are treating it as a significant incident with broader implications beyond a routine protest. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was promoted as a major international gathering on artificial intelligence governance and innovation in the Global South, attracting world leaders, technology executives, and exhibitors from numerous countries. The protest, therefore, drew considerable national and international attention due to its timing and location at such a prominent event, leading to a significant debate on dissent, democratic rights, and India's global image. In conclusion, the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib and other IYC workers stems from a highly visible and controversial protest at an international AI summit. The incident has ignited a national debate, with police investigating claims of conspiracy and courts emphasizing the breach of public order, while the Congress party continues to defend the right to protest against government policies. The situation remains a key news story with ongoing political and legal ramifications.

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