The demonstration took place last week at the AI Impact Summit venue, Bharat Mandapam, in Delhi.
Delhi Police took Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national president Uday Bhanu Chib into custody over the ‘shirtless protest’ staged by Youth Congress members at the AI Impact Summit venue in the capital last week.
The development came a day after Delhi Police announced on Monday that a fifth arrest had been made in connection with the AI Summit protest. The latest detainee, Jitendra Yadav, was apprehended in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Last week, on Friday, February 20, several members of theIndian Youth Congress (IYC) staged a dramatic protest at the AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. The demonstrators, in a symbolic act, removed their shirts and carried T-shirts with slogans directly criticizing the government’s policies, particularly targeting the recently discussed India-US trade deal. They walked around the exhibition hall, drawing the attention of both attendees and organizers at the high-profile technology event, which hosted dignitaries and officials from across the globe.
Security personnel quickly intervened and escorted the protesters out of the venue to prevent further disruption of the summit proceedings. Despite the swift action, the incident received widespread media coverage and sparked debates online, with many criticizing the Youth Congress for what some described as “attention-seeking” behavior at a formal international event.
In response to the backlash, theIYC defended their protest, stating that their demonstration was peaceful and a legitimate form of political expression. The youth wing emphasized that “peaceful demonstration is not anti-India,” highlighting their intention to voice concerns rather than disrupt the country’s international image.
Following the protest, Delhi Police launched an investigation into the incident. Several arrests have been made in connection with the demonstration. Among them, the IYC national president, Uday Bhanu Chib, was taken into custody, along with Jitendra Yadav, who was arrested from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. These arrests form part of the ongoing legal response to the protests, which have now drawn nationwide attention due to the combination of political activism and the high-profile nature of the AI summit.
The incident underscores the tensions between youth political activism and the need for security and decorum at international events, highlighting the challenges that arise when political messaging intersects with high-stakes global forums.
Indian Youth Congress
The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) is the youth wing of the Indian National Congress. It serves as a platform for political engagement and leadership development for young Indians, focusing on democratic participation, social justice, and inclusive growth. With tens of millions of members, it is among the largest youth political organizations globally.
Key facts
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Founded: 1960s (institutionalized under Indira Gandhi)
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Affiliation: Indian National Congress
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Headquarters: 5 Raisina Road, New Delhi
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President: Uday Bhanu Chib (appointed 2024)
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National In-charge: Manish Sharma (appointed 2025)
History and evolution
Emerging from the Congress’s early student activism, the IYC became a formal organization in the 1960s to channel youth participation in governance and community service. Under leaders like Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, it advanced civic initiatives such as family planning drives and campaigns for women’s safety. In 2007–08, Rahul Gandhi restructured the body into a multi-tier, election-based institution to strengthen internal democracy.
Structure and leadership
The IYC operates through elected committees at village, district, state, and national levels. The National President leads policy advocacy and mobilization, while the National In-charge oversees organizational expansion. This democratic framework replaced earlier nomination systems to encourage transparency and local representation.
Programs and initiatives
Its flagship initiatives include the Bharat Jodo Leadership Program (promoting constitutional values), Pehla Vote (voter awareness for first-time electors), Shakti Super She and the Indira Fellowship (women’s political empowerment). The NOB Program trains emerging leaders through an eight-month process combining fieldwork, mentorship, and ideological education.
Role and influence
IYC alumni have advanced into senior positions within the Congress and public life. Its grassroots network of more than 170,000 booth-level committees enables mobilization around youth employment, education, and secularism. The organization continues to act as a bridge between India’s young population and national policymaking.
