Youth Congress Chief Arrested After ‘Shirtless’ Chaos at High-Profile AI Summit
New Delhi | Omni 360 News In a move that has sent shockwaves through the national capital’s political circles, the Delhi Police have arrested Uday Bhanu Chib, the National President of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). The arrest comes as the latest development in the investigation into a dramatic and controversial “shirtless protest” that disrupted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam last week.
The Incident: What Happened at Bharat Mandapam?
On Friday, February 20, the final day of a summit meant to showcase India’s technological prowess to global leaders, a group of IYC workers pulled off a high-stakes stunt. After gaining entry to the exhibition hall—allegedly using pre-registered QR codes the protesters removed their shirts to reveal T-shirts printed with aggressive slogans.
The demonstrators marched through the venue, shouting that the “PM is compromised” and criticizing the recent India-US trade deal. The scene, which unfolded in front of international delegates and tech titans, ended quickly as security personnel whisked the protesters away.
The Crackdown: 8 Arrests and Counting
The arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib marks a significant escalation. According to police sources, Chib was taken into custody after a grueling 15-hour interrogation at the Tilak Marg police station. Officials claim he was “non-cooperative” and may have played a role in orchestrating the event.
This brings the total number of arrests to eight. Earlier this week, the police apprehended Jitendra Yadav from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, labeling him the fifth key individual involved. The police have invoked serious sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 196: Promoting enmity between different groups.
- Section 197: Assertions prejudicial to national integration.
- Criminal Conspiracy & Obstruction of Duty.
A War of Words: “Anti-India” vs. “Democratic Right”
The protest has ignited a fierce political firestorm. The BJP was quick to condemn the act, with spokespersons calling it a “brainless and shameless” attempt to tarnish India’s global image. Prime Minister Narendra Modi even weighed in during a separate event, describing the protest as “dirty politics” that embarrassed the nation on a world stage.
However, the Youth Congress remains defiant. Shesh Narayan Ojha, IYC National General Secretary, argued that the government is using “propaganda” to silence dissent.
“Opposing the government is not ‘anti-India’; it is our democratic right,” Ojha stated. He emphasized that the protest was a peaceful way to highlight concerns over the India-US trade deal, which the party claims hurts local interests.
Why This Matters
The AI Impact Summit was intended to be India’s “Manav Vision” moment for responsible technology. Instead, the headlines are dominated by images of shirtless activists and police raids. For the public, it raises a tough question: Where is the line between a “peaceful protest” and an international embarrassment?
As the case moves to the Patiala House Court, all eyes are on whether the IYC chief will be granted bail or if the “conspiracy” probe will lead to even more high-profile detentions.
