The Congress party has launched a fierce offensive against the central government following the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The arrest, made by Delhi Police, is linked to a controversial “shirtless” protest staged by youth wing members at the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam last week. Congress leaders have characterized the police action as “dictatorial” and an attempt to stifle democratic dissent, with senior figures alleging that the Prime Minister is increasingly “scared” of direct questions regarding national policy.
The controversy stems from a demonstration where IYC workers removed their outer clothing to reveal T-shirts with slogans criticizing the Prime Minister and the recent India-U.S. interim trade deal. While the government and the BJP have slammed the protest as “shameful” and “anti-India” for occurring at a high-profile international event, the Congress party maintains that peaceful protest is a fundamental right. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi defended the activists, stating that asking questions about the country’s data and trade interests is not a crime. He further alleged that the government is using police repression to distract from more serious allegations, including purported links to controversial global figures.
Uday Bhanu Chib was reportedly questioned for nearly 20 hours before being formally arrested under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of criminal conspiracy and obstructing public servants. His arrest brings the total number of detainees in this case to eight, with raids reportedly conducted across several states. As security is tightened in the capital to prevent further unrest, the Congress has vowed to continue its “Ahimsa” (non-violent) struggle, demanding the immediate release of its leaders and an end to what they describe as a “reign of fear” designed to silence the opposition.
