New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) A Delhi court has ordered Youth Congress (IYC) National President Uday Bhanu Chib to undergo four days of police custody after his arrest linked to a shirtless protest during the India AI Impact Summit. In response, Opposition leaders voiced their disapproval on Tuesday, asserting that advocating for issues through protest should not be regarded as a crime.

Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala remarked, "When a government undermines the nation’s interests in trade agreements, bringing this to light on every platform is not a crime. Every member of Congress and every citizen should persist in doing this. If expressing dissent against the government through peaceful and democratic means, as our Youth Congress members have done, is labeled a crime, then we accept that and will persist in our efforts."

He further questioned, "What wrongdoing have our Youth Congress members or Uday Bhanu committed? Protesting to highlight issues is not a crime. In a democracy, challenging a government that undermines national interests cannot be considered undemocratic. This is precisely what our Youth Congress members have accomplished."

AAP's Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, "Democracy in our nation is currently at risk. The BJP government poses a serious threat to democracy. Their agenda, like One Nation, One Election, contradicts the Constitution that B.R. Ambedkar designed to ensure social and economic justice for all. The BJP's actions seem aimed at dismantling this Constitution."

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat expressed concern over the arrest of the Youth Congress President, calling it an assault on freedom of expression.

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha added, "His arrest was not just a matter of law enforcement. There are claims that he orchestrated the protest. Analyzing historical protests from 1952 to today reveals a pattern where the true instigators were never identified, yet now a mastermind is found for a minor protest at the AI Summit. The government should reconsider this approach."

RJD MLA Bhai Virendra stated, "There is no mastermind; protests emerge from circumstances, and every party operates based on its principles. The actions at the AI Summit were justified, and Congress did nothing improper."

Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary commented, "This matter will unfold in court. Even if Uday Bhanu was not physically present at the protest, the Youth Congress President holds the responsibility for his organization. The protest at the AI Summit was highly inappropriate and detrimental to the country’s image internationally."

RLM MLA Madhav Anand suggested, "Who could have been Bhanu’s leader? It’s clear, without Congress high command’s approval, no individual could have executed such an act. The protest harmed the nation’s dignity, necessitating the identification and accountability of the true instigators behind it."