New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) Senior Congress figure and ex-Union Minister Jairam Ramesh vehemently criticized the detention of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) President Uday Bhanu Chib along with Youth Congress members due to their shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit. He emphasized that the INC categorically rejects the police's actions, labeling it as mere politics of harassment.

Ramesh took to the social media platform X to express, "The INC strongly condemns the blatantly unlawful arrest of the IYC President and other Youth Congress members who participated in what was undoubtedly a peaceful and legitimate demonstration."

He further remarked, "The Prime Minister appears shaken by revelations in the Epstein files and is grappling with the growing discontent among farmers stemming from his betrayal of their interests and capitulation to President Trump regarding the trade agreement."

Describing the arrests as politically charged, he stated, "This is nothing but a manifestation of the politics of harassment. The Prime Minister is in a frantic attempt to deflect attention from the uncomfortable realities surrounding him and his administration, which the citizens of our nation have become increasingly aware of."

"Those who are fearful resort to intimidation. The INC will not be swayed. We will persist in exposing this government for the blatant falsehoods it disseminates. The INC will boldly confront this Murder of Democracy in India," Ramesh declared.

In a related development, a Delhi court has placed Uday Bhanu Chib in four days of police custody following his arrest linked to the shirtless demonstration during the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam.

Chib was presented before the Patiala House Court following his apprehension by the Delhi Police earlier that day.

The investigative body requested a seven-day custodial interrogation, asserting that Chib was the “main conspirator and mastermind” behind the protest.

The defense contested the request for extended custody, while the prosecution argued that custodial questioning was vital to unravel the broader conspiracy.

Following a review of both arguments, the Patiala House Court sanctioned four days of police custody for further investigative purposes.

According to the arrest grounds, Chib has been alleged to be the principal conspirator in orchestrating an unlawful assembly on February 20 at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit and Expo 2026, where purportedly anti-national slogans were chanted and there were attempts to instigate a riot-like scenario.

The police have further accused Chib, along with co-defendants Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Narasimha Yadav, Ajay Kumar Yadav, and others, of obstructing and assaulting law enforcement officials executing their responsibilities.

The arrest document also indicated that he allegedly did not cooperate during questioning and failed to provide details about the absconding co-accused and the origin of the T-shirts used in the protest.

Chib was detained after nearly 15 hours of interrogation at Tilak Marg Police Station concerning the shirtless protest held on the last day of the India AI Impact Summit.

The protest has ignited a political controversy, with the ruling BJP denouncing it as an effort to damage India's global reputation, while the Congress party defended it as a peaceful demonstration reflecting the concerns of the nation's youth.