Who is Uday Bhanu Chib, arrested for shirtless protest?
What's the story
Uday Bhanu Chib, the national president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), was arrested by Delhi Police on Tuesday. His arrest came after a nearly 20-hour-long interrogation in connection with a shirtless protest at the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam last week. He has been booked under various charges, including criminal conspiracy and voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty, ANI reported.
Political ascent
Who is IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib
Chib, who hails from Paloura in Jammu and Kashmir, was appointed as IYC President on September 22, 2024. He succeeded Srinivas BV in the role. He is an engineering graduate from Pune University with an MBA from Arni University, and comes from a politically active family. His father, Hari Singh Chib, is the vice president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC).
Political roles
Other positions held by Chib
Chib has served in several roles: he was the national secretary of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and state president for NSUI J&K. Before becoming IYC president, he was J&K Pradesh Youth Congress president and later general secretary of IYC. The charges against him include criminal conspiracy, voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty, assault, or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty, among others.
Protest details
Protest during India AI Impact Summit
The protest occurred during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which took place in Delhi from February 16 to February 20. The summit was the first global AI event hosted in the Global South and attracted global policymakers, industry experts, academicians, technology innovators, and civil society representatives. During the event, IYC workers entered the AI Expo Hall with posters and slogans before removing their T-shirts.
Police remand
Police awarded 4 days' custody
While the Congress party faced criticism for the protest at an event attended by global dignitaries, the IYC defended it, saying "a peaceful demonstration is not anti-India." In court, Delhi Police sought seven days' custody of Chib, alleging he masterminded and provided logistical support for the protest. The police also cited sections 61(2) and 121(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Chib has been sent to police custody for four days.
Congress's reaction
What else happened
The Congress party has voiced its strong opposition to the arrests, with senior leader Bhupesh Baghel calling the government dictatorial. "The 'dictatorial' government is forgetting that in a democracy, young people raising their voice, asking questions, and protesting is not a crime -- it is the strongest weapon of democracy," he wrote in a post. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party has slammed Congress over its "anti-India, anti-growth" propaganda.
Twitter Post
Bhupesh Baghel's post condemning 'dictatorial' government
दिल्ली पुलिस द्वारा IYC के राष्ट्रीय अध्यक्ष भाई उदय भानु चिब जी एवं अन्य युवा साथियों की ग़ैरक़ानूनी गिरफ्तारी की मैं कड़ी निंदा करता हूं.
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) February 24, 2026
"ताना-शाह" सरकार यह भूल रही है कि लोकतंत्र में युवाओं का आवाज उठाना, सवाल पूछना और विरोध करना अपराध नहीं, बल्कि लोकतंत्र का सबसे मजबूत…