Congress MP slams govt over Chib’s detention, calls it ‘dictatorial’
February 24, 2026: Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday criticised the government over the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib and other members of the Indian Youth Congress, calling the move reflective of “dictatorial tendencies and cowardice”. In a post on X, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said peaceful protest is part of the Congress’ historical legacy and a democratic right of every citizen. He alleged that national interests had been compromised in the trade agreement with the United States and claimed the deal would harm farmers and the textile sector while risking data security.
Chib was arrested by Delhi Police in connection with a shirtless protest staged during the AI Impact Summit in the capital last week. According to officials, the protest took place inside the venue after Youth Congress workers entered using online registrations and QR codes, removing their shirts to reveal anti-government slogans. Police have heightened security across key locations in Delhi, with the total number of those detained in the case rising to eight.
The incident has sparked a sharp political exchange between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. While the BJP described the protest as a “shameful act” that tarnished India’s global image, the Youth Congress defended it as a peaceful demonstration aimed at safeguarding national interest. Gandhi asserted that “showing the mirror of truth to power is not a crime” and declared solidarity with party workers under the hashtag ‘I Stand With Youth Congress’.