AI Summit protest: Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu sent to 4-day police custody

The protest was staged during the AI Summit on Friday

Indian Youth Congress (IYC) chief Uday Bhanu Chib was on Tuesday arrested in connection with the ‘shirtless’ protest at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit held in the national capital.

Chib was later sent to four days of police custody.

On Friday, a group of IYC workers staged a dramatic shirtless protest at an exhibition hall during the AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam, walking around holding T-shirts with slogans against the government and the India-US trade deal printed on them, before being whisked away by security personnel present at the venue.

Seven youth Congress workers were arrested in the case. With Uday Bhanu's arrest, the number has now risen to eight.

Congress reacts to arrests over the protest

The Congress has voiced its strong opposition to the arrests, with senior leader Bhupesh Baghel calling the government dictatorial.

"I strongly condemn the illegal arrest of IYC National President Brother Uday Bhanu Chib ji and other young comrades by the Delhi Police. The "dictatorial" government is forgetting that in a democracy, young people raising their voice, asking questions, and protesting is not a crime -- it is the strongest weapon of democracy. Our young Congress workers, without any violence or provocation, peacefully brought forward the Prime Minister's compromises and the unheard suffering of the youth. This was a courageous, legitimate, and democratic step, and now the government is resorting to police repression to suppress it," he said.

दिल्ली पुलिस द्वारा IYC के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष भाई उदय भानु चिब जी एवं अन्य युवा साथियों की ग़ैरक़ानूनी गिरफ्तारी की मैं कड़ी निंदा करता हूं.

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"ताना-शाह" सरकार यह भूल रही है कि लोकतंत्र में युवाओं का आवाज उठाना, सवाल पूछना और विरोध करना अपराध नहीं, बल्कि लोकतंत्र का सबसे मजबूत… — Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) February 24, 2026

BJP slams Congress 

Uday Bhanu's arrest was also confirmed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on X, which slammed Congress over their anti-India and anti-growth propaganda.

BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari took to X and wrote, "Rahul Gandhi’s BABBAR ANTI INDIA “SHER" ARRESTED! Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu arrested after 15 hours of questioning in the NAKED Anti-India PROTEST At World AI Summit!"

“Youth of India hates ‘NANGI’ Congress! Babbar Sher will get “Babbar" treatment in jail! Congress is Anti-India, Anti-growth!" he added.