Delhi Police arrest IYC chief over AI Summit protest

The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib over the “shirtless” protest staged during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital last week.The arrest comes days after the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) protested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the India–US trade deal at the AI Summit. Addressing the issue during the event, Chib had declared that the youth of the country “will no longer remain silent.”
“The Indian Youth Congress made it clear that the youth of the country will no longer remain silent. ‘PM is compromised’ is not just a slogan, but the anger of millions of unemployed youth. This trade deal with the US is a betrayal of the interests of our farmers and the public, which will only benefit the US. Peaceful protest is our right in a democracy, and we will continue to raise the voice of the youth,” he had said.The IYC national president clarified that the party was “not against the AI Summit” but firmly opposed “any compromise with India’s interests.”
“We are against any compromise with India’s interests. When the country’s farmers are being compromised, anti-India trade agreements are being signed, and youth are being pushed into hate politics while keeping them unemployed, should we remain silent? This country belongs to 1.4 billion citizens,” he added.In a sharp attack on the Prime Minister, Chib asserted that the “Prime Minister is compromised” and that “does not mean that the public should remain silent.”
Following Chib’s arrest, security was ramped up across key locations in Delhi amid anticipation of further protests. Police tightened security around the Tilak Marg police station, where Chib is currently being held. Barricades were placed at strategic points, anti-riot teams were deployed, and Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) along with additional paramilitary forces were put on alert.According to police officials, additional sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) have been invoked in the FIR, including Section 196 (promoting enmity between different groups and acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and Section 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration). Both provisions carry a jail term of up to three years.Charges of criminal conspiracy, obstruction of a public servant in discharge of duty, disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant, unlawful assembly and common intention had already been added to the case.
Meanwhile, the Indian National Congress strongly condemned the arrest. Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel termed the action “dictatorial.”In a post on X, Baghel said, “I strongly condemn the illegal arrest of IYC National President Brother Uday Bhanu Chib ji and other young comrades by the Delhi Police.”He added that the greatest weapon in a democracy is young people raising their voice, and that protesting is not a crime.“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. Our young Congress workers, without any violence or provocation, peacefully brought forward the Prime Minister’s compromises and the unheard suffering of the youth,” he said.

दिल्ली पुलिस द्वारा IYC के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष भाई उदय भानु चिब जी एवं अन्य युवा साथियों की ग़ैरक़ानूनी गिरफ्तारी की मैं कड़ी निंदा करता हूं.

"ताना-शाह" सरकार यह भूल रही है कि लोकतंत्र में युवाओं का आवाज उठाना, सवाल पूछना और विरोध करना अपराध नहीं, बल्कि लोकतंत्र का सबसे मजबूत…

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) February 24, 2026

Baghel described the protest as a “courageous, legitimate, and democratic step” and accused the government of resorting to police repression.“This was a courageous, legitimate, and democratic step, and now the government is resorting to police repression to suppress it. This action is not only illegal but also a direct attack on freedom of expression and democracy. We demand the immediate release of Uday Bhanu Chib ji and all arrested IYC workers, withdrawal of all false charges imposed on them, and an immediate halt to such repressive actions. We will fight — we will win,” he posted.