Mother of Arrested Youth Congress President Defends Protest at AI India Impact Summit 2026
Rajni Bala, the mother of Uday Bhanu Chib, President of the Indian Youth Congress, has publicly defended the protests that occurred during the AI India Impact Summit 2026. She expressed pride in her son's actions and emphasized the constitutional right to protest. Bala called on the youth to embody the spirit of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, highlighting the importance of standing up for the unemployed and farmers. She also compared current protests to past demonstrations by the BJP, questioning the integrity of showcasing foreign innovations as local achievements. This article delves into her passionate defense and the broader implications for youth activism in India.
| Feb 24, 2026, 15:37 IST
Support for Protest Amid Arrest
Following the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib, the President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), during protests at the AI India Impact Summit 2026, his mother, Rajni Bala, expressed her pride in her son on Tuesday. Speaking to a news outlet, Bala stated that the demonstrations at Bharat Mandapam were conducted within constitutional limits. She emphasized her son's remarks about the importance of sometimes following in the footsteps of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. Bala urged the youth of the nation to embrace the ideals of such freedom fighters.
Call to Action for Youth
She mentioned, "My son said that we walk the path of Gandhi, but when necessary, we can also become Bhagat Singh, and I am proud of him for that. Today, we need Bhagat Singh, and I urge all young people to embody his spirit and think about their country." Bala further asserted that those who protested did not commit any crime, as the Constitution grants citizens the right to dissent. She highlighted that the protests were for the people of the nation, including farmers, youth, and the unemployed.
Comparison with Past Protests
Bala drew parallels between the current protests and previous demonstrations by the BJP during the UPA government, questioning whether incidents like the presentation of a Chinese robot as an innovation by Galgotias University during the summit were not embarrassing. She recalled that during the Commonwealth Games, many delegates and athletes from around the world attended, and the BJP had protested at that time. She expressed concern over the shame brought upon the nation when Galgotias University showcased a Chinese robot as their own innovation on the first day of the summit.