Youth Congress Chief Arrested Over Shirtless Protest At AI Summit

Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), was arrested by the Delhi Police on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, in connection with a shirtless protest staged by IYC members at the India AI Impact Summit. The protest, which occurred on February 20, 2026, at the Bharat Mandapam venue, involved demonstrators wearing t-shirts with slogans criticizing the government and the India-US interim trade deal. Police sources indicated that Chib was arrested in the early hours after approximately 20 hours of questioning, with allegations that he was not cooperating with the investigation. He has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those related to criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, obstructing a public servant on duty, and wilful disobedience. Later, charges of rioting were also added against Chib and seven other arrested IYC members. The police have presented Chib before the Patiala House Court, securing a four-day police remand for further interrogation. Delhi Police considers Chib the "main conspirator" and "mastermind" behind the protest, suggesting an organized attempt to malign India's image before global dignitaries attending the summit. Evidence is being collected, including CCTV footage and digital records, to establish the planning and execution of the protest. The protest has ignited a political controversy, with the opposition Congress party condemning the arrest as "dictatorial" and an attack on freedom of expression. Senior Congress leaders have voiced their support for the Youth Congress and have demanded the immediate release of all arrested individuals. The IYC, however, maintains that their protest was peaceful and a democratic right, aimed at raising concerns over government policies and trade deals, and that opposing the government does not equate to being "anti-India". The organization has stated that they were not against the AI Summit itself but were protesting against perceived compromises with India's national interests. The incident has led to heightened security in the capital. This is a developing story with ongoing investigations into the broader conspiracy and potential funding behind the protest. The AI Impact Summit, which began on February 16, 2026, saw participants from various countries discussing advancements in artificial intelligence. The protest has brought to light the increasing use of such public demonstrations by youth wings of political parties to voice dissent against government policies, highlighting the complex interplay between political activism, national security, and international perception in India. The arrest and subsequent remand of Chib underscore the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident, viewing it as more than a routine protest and potentially linked to organized efforts to disrupt high-profile international events. The controversy also reflects broader debates within India regarding the limits of political expression and the government's response to dissent, particularly in the context of international diplomacy and economic agreements. The Youth Congress's stance emphasizes their belief in the democratic right to protest, even when it involves direct criticism of the Prime Minister and national policies, while the police's actions highlight concerns about potential disruption and defamation on a global stage. The legal proceedings, including the police remand, indicate an ongoing investigation into the full scope of the alleged conspiracy.

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