Congress leader and Lok Sabha opposition MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday expressed solidarity with Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national president Uday Bhanu Chib after his arrest. The IYC was arrested in connection with the protest that Rahul Gandhi organized at the Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. He praised the Youth Congress members for their peaceful protests, calling them “fearless”.
In a post on Twitter, Gandhi said, “Peaceful protest is our historical heritage. It is in our blood and a democratic right of every Indian. I am proud of my Babbar Sher colleagues in the Youth Congress who have fearlessly raised their voice in the interest of the country against the ‘compromising Prime Minister’.”
He criticized the framework of the recently concluded India-US interim trade agreement, saying it compromises the interests of farmers, the textile industry and the country’s data security.
Following the arrest of Chib and other Youth Congress workers, the senior Congress leader strongly criticized the central government, calling the move “evidence of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice”.
He further said in his post, “The trade agreement with America has compromised the interests of the country. This agreement will harm our farmers and textile industry and hand over our data to America. The arrest of Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib and other comrades for bringing this truth in front of the country is a proof of dictatorial tendencies and cowardice.”
Reiterating the party’s support to the Youth Congress members, the Congress leader said, “The Congress Party and I stand firmly with our Babbar Sher comrades. Holding the mirror of truth before power is not a crime but patriotism. Don’t be afraid – truth and the Constitution are with us.”
His comments come after Chib’s arrest this morning in connection with the ongoing investigation into the protests at the AI Impact Summit 2026 held at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
Chib was arrested under several sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS), including section 196 relating to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence or language, which is a non-bailable offence.
After the arrest, the police brought him to Patiala House Court.
The court has reserved its verdict on the police plea seeking seven-day custody of the Youth Congress president in connection with the protest case.
Meanwhile, the ongoing investigation into the Indian Youth Congress protests during the summit has been handed over to the Crime Branch of Delhi Police.
