‘Peaceful protest our right’: Rahul Gandhi backs Youth Congress after chief’s arrest, says ‘proud of Babbar Sher comrades’ | India News

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hailed “Babbar Sher comrades” of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) detained for protesting during the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam. He praised the youth wing for fearlessly raising their voices, saying “peaceful protest is our right.“His remarks came after Delhi Police arrested IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib in connection with the protest staged at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit on February 20.Sharing a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Peaceful protest is our historic heritage. It is in our blood and is the democratic right of every Indian. I am proud of my Babbar Sher comrades in the Youth Congress, who have fearlessly raised their voices in the nation’s interest against the ‘COMPROMISED PM’.”He alleged that the India-US trade agreement was detrimental to national interests and “will harm our farmers and textile industry.”“The Trade Deal with America has compromised the country’s interests. This agreement will harm our farmers and textile industry and hand over our data to America,” he said.Reaffirming his party’s support for the protesters, he added, “The Congress Party and I stand firmly with our Babbar Sher comrades. Holding a mirror to power with the truth is not a crime, it is patriotism. Do not fear – truth and the Constitution are with us.”Earlier on Friday, around 10 IYC workers were detained for briefly raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside Exhibition Hall No. 5 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit.According to police, the incident occurred around 12.30 pm. Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Mahla said the protesters had registered online to attend the summit.The group entered the venue wearing or carrying white T-shirts printed with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. The T-shirts also bore slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal,” “Epstein Files,” and “PM is compromised.” The protest reportedly led to heated exchanges with some attendees before security personnel intervened.Officials said those detained are being identified and that appropriate legal action is being initiated.Earlier in the day, Delhi Police sought seven days of police custody for Indian Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib, who was arrested in connection with the protest. Chib was produced before a judicial magistrate at Patiala House Court following his arrest after questioning.Police alleged that there was a “common intention” behind the demonstration and claimed Chib was the mastermind. According to investigators, he “hatched the conspiracy” and arranged logistics and funding for the protest.The protest case has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch, who will conduct further investigations into the matter, police sources told ANI.Responding to the arrest, Rahul Gandhi said it proves “dictatorial tendencies and cowardice.”“The arrest of Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib and other IYC comrades for bringing this truth before the nation is proof of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice,” he said in his post on X.The “shirtless” protest triggered a political war of words, with BJP leaders and even rivals accusing the Congress and of orchestrating the disruption and “bring shame to the country on the global platform.”Also read: ‘Provided logistics’ for ‘shirtless’ protest: Why Delhi Police arrested youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu