‘Providing logistics’ for ‘topless’ protests: Why Delhi police arrested Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu India News

New Delhi: Delhi Police on Tuesday sought seven-day detention of Indian Youth Congress chief Udhay Bhanu Chiba after he was arrested for staging a topless protest at the Bharat Mandapam during the Artificial Intelligence Summit.Bhanu was arrested after interrogation and was produced before the judicial magistrate’s court at Patiala Palace Court.

Police said there was a common intention behind the protests and claimed Chibu was the mastermind. It added that the Youth Congress president hatched the plot and provided logistics and funds to the protesters.Delhi Police added that the other accused are in other states such as Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and therefore need to be remanded in custody. Meanwhile, the Indian Youth Congress termed Bhanu’s arrest “anarchy and an undeclared emergency” and called for his immediate release. Speaking to “X”, the Youth Congress said, “This is anarchy – an undeclared emergency! A government worried about peaceful protests in a democracy cannot intimidate Youth Congress workers. The BJP is betraying the national interest. The Congress will not remain silent on this incompetence.”“Release Uday Banuj and all workers immediately,” it added.Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also said it was a shame if the government was unhappy with people protesting peacefully.“It is a shame that they have a problem with people protesting peacefully. The dictator will jail those who show him a mirror. All the terrorists behind Pulwama, Pahalgam attacks, Red Fort blasts have been arrested,” Kaira said.“You can’t arrest the person behind a terrorist attack, but if someone takes off their shirt, you’re going to be scared. That’s the reality in government,” he added.Soon after Banu was arrested after interrogation by the Delhi Police. With this arrest, the number of people jailed in the case has increased to eight.Three others, Jitendra Yadav, Raja Gujar and Vimal Ajay Kumar, were arrested on Monday. Yadav, a resident of Gwalior, serves as the national coordinator of the International Year.Gujar is IYC Gwalior district president while Kumar is Bhind’s chief of staff. Four other accused had been arrested earlier.According to police, protesters completed the mandatory online registration process and used QR codes to enter the venue. They were dressed casually, wearing sweaters and jackets over T-shirts.Addressing the issue at the Artificial Intelligence Summit, Bhanu said the country’s youth “will no longer remain silent”.“The Indian Youth Congress has made it clear that the youth of India 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 public and will only benefit the US. Peaceful protest is our right in a democracy and we will continue to raise the voices of the youth,” he said.The group allegedly staged shirtless protests inside the exhibition hall, raising slogans and displaying politically charged messages on T-shirts, including slogans directed at the prime minister, police said.Video of the incident showed protesters taking off their outer clothing after entering the venue to reveal T-shirts emblazoned with anti-prime messages. They were later seen holding T-shirts and chanting slogans before being escorted out.Video circulating online showed security personnel and some attendees pushing protesters out of the hall.