Politics – Delhi Police Arrest Youth Congress Chief After AI Summit Protest
Politics- The Delhi Police on Tuesday detained Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with last week’s protest at the India AI Impact Summit in the national capital. The action follows a case registered against members of the youth wing for allegedly disrupting the high-profile event.
Security Intensified Across Central Delhi
Following Chib’s arrest, security arrangements were strengthened around the Tilak Marg police station, where he is currently being held. Additional personnel have been deployed in several parts of central Delhi amid concerns over possible demonstrations by party supporters.
Barricades were erected at key intersections, and anti-riot units were placed on standby as a precaution. A senior police official said the administration’s immediate focus is to maintain public order and prevent any disruption to routine life in the city. The officer added that preventive measures could be taken if groups attempt to gather without prior approval.
Congress Criticises Arrest, Targets Prime Minister
The arrest drew sharp criticism from the Congress party. Pawan Khera, head of the party’s media and publicity department, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being intolerant of dissent. He said questioning the government is a fundamental responsibility of the opposition in a democracy.
Khera alleged that the government’s actions reflect unease with criticism and reiterated that the Congress would continue to raise public issues through peaceful means. He also referenced the Prime Minister’s recent address in Meerut, arguing that democratic values must be upheld in public life.
Earlier Detentions Linked to Summit Protest
Police had earlier taken seven Youth Congress workers into custody in connection with the protest at Bharat Mandapam last Friday. Among them were three individuals from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, identified as Jitendra Yadav, Raj Gujjar and Ajay Kumar.
In a related development, Ritik Shukla, also known as Monty Shukla, who serves as the Uttar Pradesh general secretary of the Youth Congress, was detained from Lalitpur.
FIR Filed Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Provisions
An FIR has been registered at Tilak Marg police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include criminal conspiracy, causing hurt to a public servant, assault or obstruction of a public servant while on duty, unlawful assembly, and disobedience of an official order.
Subsequently, additional provisions were added to the case. These include sections related to promoting enmity between groups and acts considered prejudicial to national integration. The offences under these sections carry a potential jail term of up to three years.
What Triggered the Police Action
According to officials, the case stems from an incident in which a group of protesters entered Exhibition Hall No. 5 during the AI summit proceedings. Some participants were reportedly wearing or carrying white T-shirts printed with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump. The shirts also displayed slogans referencing an India-US trade deal and other political messages.
Police said the demonstration led to a brief disturbance inside the venue. Authorities are examining whether the protest was part of a broader plan, describing it as a possible wider conspiracy that is currently under investigation.
Youth Congress Defends Its Stand
The Indian Youth Congress defended the protest in a statement posted on social media platform X. The organisation argued that its members resorted to demonstrating inside the summit venue after facing obstacles in expressing dissent through other channels.
In its statement, the youth wing questioned what avenues remain for raising concerns if public protests are restricted and online content is removed under information technology regulations. The group maintained that its actions were intended to highlight political issues rather than disrupt proceedings.
BJP Alleges Attempt to Tarnish India’s Image
The Bharatiya Janata Party criticised the protest, alleging that the disruption was aimed at undermining India’s global reputation during an international summit. The ruling party claimed that the incident reflected a coordinated effort by opposition leaders.
As investigations continue, authorities have indicated that further action will depend on evidence gathered in the coming days. Meanwhile, political tensions remain high in the capital, with both sides defending their positions over the events at the AI summit.