New Delhi – The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) chief, Chib, was arrested on February 24 following a protest at the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, police confirmed. The arrest comes after fourteen individuals were taken into custody in connection with the incident, accused of breaching security and allegedly raising “anti-national” slogans.
The protest, which occurred on February 20, involved IYC members entering the summit venue and displaying T-shirts bearing slogans critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the recently negotiated India-US trade deal. Several protestors reportedly removed their shirts to reveal the slogans, chanting against the Prime Minister and government policies, according to reports.
Chib was initially taken into custody for questioning on February 23, and subsequently arrested the following day. He was then presented before a court, which remanded him to police custody for four days, sources stated.
The arrests have drawn criticism from opposition leaders. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent figure within the Indian National Congress, condemned the action, describing it as indicative of “dictatorial tendencies and cowardice,” according to Deccan Herald and The Economic Times reports. Gandhi’s statement reflects growing tensions between the ruling government and opposition parties.
Police officials have stated that the protestors’ actions constituted a breach of security protocols at the summit. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are examining the content of the slogans raised to determine if they violated any laws, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
The India-US trade deal, a focal point of the protest, has been a subject of debate in India, with concerns raised by some groups regarding its potential impact on domestic industries and farmers. The specifics of the trade agreement have not been publicly released in full, contributing to the ongoing scrutiny.
As of Saturday, February 28, the IYC has not issued a formal statement regarding Chib’s continued detention. Police have not announced any further arrests in connection with the case, and the investigation remains active.