The Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national president Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the shirtless protest held during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit in the national capital. He is the eighth person arrested in the case.
Police sources said Chib was detained around 4:30 am after nearly 20 hours of questioning at Tilak Marg Police Station. He has been booked under charges including criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing harm to a public servant, obstructing a public servant on duty and wilful disobedience.
According to sources, investigators believe Chib played a key role in planning the protest. “There is a need for prolonged questioning, and for that he needs to be taken into custody,” police sources said, adding that they are not treating it as a routine protest but are probing whether there was an attempt to malign India’s image before global dignitaries attending the summit.
The case has now been transferred to the Crime Branch, and further investigation will be handled by its Inter-State Cell.
Police Seek Seven-Day Custody, Call Him ‘Mastermind’
Chib was produced before the Patiala House Court at 10 am, where police sought seven days’ custody, describing him as the “mastermind” behind the protest. Investigators told the court that people from different parts of the country were involved and that Chib would need to be taken to multiple locations for further inquiry.
Police also informed the court that representatives from other countries were present at the AI Summit when the protest took place. They raised questions about who funded the printing of T-shirts carrying slogans such as “PM is compromised”, “India-US Trade Deal”, and “Epstein Files”.
Earlier, the police told the court that the protest appeared to be inspired by Gen Z protests in Nepal. “This is a larger conspiracy that has taken inspiration from the Gen Z protests in Nepal. The accused need to be confronted with each other and with digital evidence,” police argued while seeking custody of the arrested Youth Congress members.
Chib’s Lawyer Denies His Presence at Protest
Chib’s lawyer denied the allegations in court, saying that the Youth Congress chief was not present at the protest site and did not issue any instructions.
“He was neither communicating with anyone nor issuing any directions,” the lawyer told the court. He also argued that protests at international events are not unusual. “People outside appreciate that India is a democracy where you can protest,” he added.
Political War of Words Intensifies
The arrest has sparked a sharp political reaction. The Congress party called it “completely unconstitutional” and accused the government of trying to suppress democratic rights. In a post on X, the party said, “The Constitution of the country has given every citizen the right to protest. Narendra Modi wants to snatch away even this right.”
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said he stands firmly with Chib and other Youth Congress workers. “Peaceful protest is our historical legacy. It is the democratic right of every Indian,” Gandhi wrote, calling the arrests proof of “dictatorial tendencies”.
Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil also criticised the action, saying, “Peaceful dissent should not be treated as a crime or a threat.”
On the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier attacked the Congress over the protest, saying the party had turned a global event into a platform for “dirty politics.” Addressing a rally in Meerut, he said, “The country already knows you are naked; why did you need to remove your clothes?”
Union Minister Giriraj Singh also lashed out at the Congress, making sharp remarks against Rahul Gandhi following Chib’s arrest.
Who is Uday Bhanu Chib?
Uday Bhanu Chib was appointed national president of the Indian Youth Congress in September 2024. He hails from Jammu and comes from a political family. He began his career in the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) and later held key positions within the Youth Congress.
As the investigation continues, the arrest is expected to deepen the political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP in the coming days.
