‘Peaceful protest is our right’: Rahul Gandhi supports Youth Congress after Youth Congress chief’s arrest, says ‘proud of Comrade Babar Sher’ India News

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi “Comrade Babar Sher” of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) was detained on Tuesday for protesting during the Bharat Mandapam Artificial Intelligence Summit. He praised youth groups for fearlessly raising their voices and said “peaceful protest is our right.“His remarks came after Delhi Police arrested IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib over protests held at the Bharat Mandapam on February 20 during the Artificial Intelligence Summit.Sharing a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Peaceful protest is our historical legacy. It is in our blood and is the democratic right of every Indian. I am proud of Comrade Babar Sher in the Youth Congress who bravely spoke out against the ‘compromising Prime Minister’ in the interest of the country. “He claimed that the India-US trade agreement was detrimental to the national interest and “will harm our farmers and textile industry”.“The trade deal with the United States harms the country’s interests. This deal will harm our farmers and textile industry and hand over our data to the United States,” he said.He reiterated his party’s support for the protesters, adding, “The Congress party and I stand firmly with our comrade Babar Sher. Shining the mirror of power with truth is not a crime but patriotism. Do not be afraid – the truth and the Constitution are with us.”Earlier on Friday, around 10 IYC staff were detained after briefly raising slogans against the IYC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inside Hall 5, Bharat Mandapam during the Artificial Intelligence Summit.According to police, the incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Another police chief, Devesh Mahla, said protesters had registered online for the summit.The group entered the venue wearing or carrying white T-shirts bearing images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. The T-shirts were also printed with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal”, “Epstein Files” and “The Prime Minister is Damaged”. The protest reportedly erupted into heated arguments with some attendees before security personnel intervened.Officials said the detainees were being identified and appropriate legal action was being taken.Earlier in the day, Delhi police sought seven-day detention for Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib, who was arrested in connection with the protests. Chibu was arrested after questioning and later produced before a judicial magistrate at Patiala House Court.Police claimed there was a “common intention” behind the demonstrations and claimed Chib was the mastermind. According to investigators, he “orchestrated the plot” and arranged logistics and funding for the protests.Police sources told ANI that the protest case has been handed over to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police, which will investigate the matter further.Reacting to the arrest, Rahul Gandhi said it demonstrated “authoritarian tendencies and cowardice”.“The arrest of Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib and other IYC comrades for telling this truth to the nation is proof of authoritarian tendencies and cowardice,” he said in a post on X.The “topless” protest triggered a political war of words, with leaders of the BJP and even rivals accusing the Congress party of masterminding the sabotage and “bringing shame to the country on a global platform”.Also read: ‘Providing logistics’ for ‘topless’ protest: Why Delhi police arrested Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu