Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Tuesday sought a 7-day police custody of Indian Youth Congress chief Udhay Bhanu Chiba following his arrest in connection to shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapam during AI Summit.Bhanu was brought to the court of judicial magistrate at Patiala House court after he was arrested following interrogation.
Police said that there was a common intention behind the protest and claimed that Chib was the mastermind. It added that the Youth Congress chief hatched the conspiracy and provided logistics as well as fund to the protestors.Delhi police added that the other accused are in other states of Jammu, UP, Himachal Pradesh, therefore the remand is required. Meanwhile, Indian Youth Congress termed Bhanu’s arrest as “anarchy and undeclared emergency” and called for his immediate release. Taking to X, Youth Congress said, “This is anarchy — an undeclared Emergency! A government that fears peaceful protests in a democracy cannot intimidate Youth Congress workers. The BJP is trading away the nation’s interests. Congress will not remain silent over this incompetence,” it said.“Release Uday Bhanu ji and all workers immediately,” it added.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also weighed in and said that it is a matter of shame if the government has a problem with someone staging a protest peacefully.“This is a matter of shame that they have a problem with someone staging a protest peacefully. The dictator will put those in jail who show him the mirror. Have all the terrorists behind the Pulwama, Pahalgam attack, Red Fort blast been arrested,” Khera said.“You are not able to arrest those behind the terrorist attacks, but get scared if someone removes their shirt. This is the reality of the government,” he added.This comes moments after Bhanu was arrested by Delhi Police after questioning. With this arrest, the total number of people held in the case has risen to eight.On Monday, three others were arrested and identified as Jitendra Yadav, Raja Gujar and Vimal Ajay Kumar. Yadav, a resident of Gwalior, serves as the national coordinator of the IYC.Gujar is the IYC’s Gwalior district president, while Kumar is an office-bearer from Bhind. Four other accused had been arrested earlier.According to police, the protesters had completed the mandatory online registration process and gained entry to the venue using QR codes. They were dressed casually, wearing sweaters and jackets over their T-shirts.Addressing the issue at the AI Summit, Bhanu had said that the youth of the country “will no longer remain silent”.“The Indian Youth Congress made it clear that the youth of the country will no longer remain silent. ‘PM is compromised’ is not just a slogan, but the anger of millions of unemployed youth. This trade deal with the US is a betrayal of the interests of our farmers and the public, which will only benefit the US. Peaceful protest is our right in a democracy, and we will continue to raise the voice of the youth,” he said.Police said the group allegedly staged a shirtless protest inside the exhibition hall, raised slogans and displayed politically charged messages on their T-shirts, including slogans directed against the Prime Minister.A video of the incident shows the protesters removing their outer layers after entering the venue and revealing T-shirts bearing anti-PM messages. They were later seen carrying the T-shirts and chanting slogans before being escorted out.Videos circulating online show security personnel and some attendees pushing the protesters out of the hall.
