Jammu / New Delhi, Feb 21:
The detention of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib by Delhi Police has sparked a wave of outrage across the political spectrum, with the Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress (JKPYC) calling the move an “attack on constitutional freedoms.”
The detention followed a high-profile “shirtless protest” by Youth Congress workers at the AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam. Protesters raised slogans regarding the India-US trade deal and rising unemployment, sparking a heated political row in the capital.
“Silencing Opposition Won’t Erase Anger”
In a scathing statement issued from Jammu, Anirudh Sawhney, State General Secretary of JKPYC, threw his weight behind Chib, asserting that the detention was “completely baseless, politically motivated, and undemocratic.”
Sawhney’s Core Arguments:
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Targeting Leadership: Chib was reportedly not even present at the specific site of the protest, making his detention a case of “deliberate targeting.”
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Legitimate Dissent: Sawhney argued that raising slogans like “PM is compromised” is a reflection of the collective frustration of millions of unemployed youth and farmers.
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Constitutional Rights: He emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental right and not a criminal act.
“Our country is a democracy, and peaceful protest is not a crime. When Youth Congress members questioned a trade deal with the United States that they believe will harm Indian farmers, they were speaking for the common people. Instead of addressing these concerns, the authorities chose intimidation,” Sawhney stated.
The AI Summit Controversy
The controversy began on Friday, February 20, 2026, when Youth Congress members entered the AI Impact Summit—a global event attended by international heads of state and tech leaders like Sam Altman and Sundar Pichai.
The protesters, who gained entry via online registration, removed their outer clothing to reveal T-shirts with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal” and “PM is compromised.” While the BJP has slammed the act as “anti-national” and “brainless,” the Youth Congress maintains it was the only platform left to voice the concerns of the youth.
| Issue Raised | IYC Stance | Government/BJP Response |
| India-US Trade Deal | Will harm Indian farmers and favor the US. | A historic partnership for AI and supply chain security. |
| Unemployment | Critical levels of joblessness among Indian youth. | Alleged “PR stunt” by Congress to tarnish India’s image. |
| Detention | Misuse of police power to suppress dissent. | Necessary action to maintain law and order at a global event. |
Warning of National Agitation
Anirudh Sawhney issued a stern warning to the authorities, stating that the Youth Congress will not be silenced by fear tactics.
“If this undemocratic and baseless targeting of our leadership does not stop, poori desh ki IYC sadko par aa jayegi (the entire IYC across the nation will take to the streets) to fight this injustice,” Sawhney declared. He concluded by reiterating that democracy cannot be crushed through detentions and that the movement for the rights of farmers and youth would only intensify.
