Delhi Police Detains Indian Youth Congress Leader Amid Controversial Protest

Protest Leads to Multiple Arrests

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president, Uday Bhanu Chib, has been taken into custody by Delhi Police following a shirtless protest conducted by IYC members during the AI Impact Summit last week, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.

This brings the total number of individuals arrested in connection with this incident to eight.

Previously, seven IYC activists were apprehended, including three from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, for their involvement in the protest at Bharat Mandapam last Friday.

The arrested individuals include Jitendra Yadav, Raj Gujjar, and Ajay Kumar.

Additionally, Ritik alias Monty Shukla, the general secretary of IYC in Uttar Pradesh, was detained in Lalitpur.

Authorities have added further charges under the BNS, including sections 196 (promoting enmity between groups) and 197 (actions harmful to national integration), which could lead to a prison sentence of up to three years.

The FIR already included charges of criminal conspiracy, hindering a public servant's duties, disobeying lawful orders, unlawful assembly, and common intention.

During the protest, IYC members removed their shirts to display T-shirts with slogans criticizing the government and the India-US interim trade agreement, before being escorted away by security.

Police noted that the accused had registered online to receive QR codes for venue access.

Investigators are also looking into a potential conspiracy and the financial aspects behind the protest, including funding for the T-shirt slogans.

This incident has sparked a political debate, with the BJP condemning it as a "shameful act that tarnishes India's global image," while the IYC claims it was a "peaceful" demonstration aimed at protecting national interests.