Uday Bhanu Chib Gets Bail in AI Summit Protest Case

Uday Bhanu Chib, the national president of the India Youth Congress (IYC), has recently been granted bail by the Duty Magistrate following his arrest in connection with a protest at the AI Impact Summit held in Delhi. The protest, which took place on February 20, saw IYC members expressing their dissent against the India-US trade deal by dramatically removing their shirts, displaying slogans like "Compromised PM."

Chib was arrested by the Delhi Police, who labeled him as the "main conspirator" behind the protest. The police argued that there was a deeper conspiracy in play, and they sought to extend his police custody remand. However, the Duty Magistrate found that the police had failed to justify the need for an extension and granted bail instead.

While granting bail, the court imposed specific conditions on Chib. He is required to surrender his passport and any electronic devices he possesses. Additionally, he must provide surety of ₹50,000 before the court. Chib's legal counsel, Advocate Sulaiman Mohammad Khan, emphasized that the police had not satisfactorily explained their reasons for seeking an extension of the remand.

The protest at the Bharat Mandapam venue gained significant attention, with Congress party workers marching through the Exhibition Hall wearing or holding T-shirts with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump, along with messages criticizing the trade deal. This act of protest resulted in a chaotic scene and led to the arrests of several Congress leaders.

The political fallout from this incident has been notable. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the IYC of orchestrating a "conspiracy" behind the protest, while the Congress party has rallied in support of its youth wing leaders, condemning the arrests. Key political figures, including Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, have expressed solidarity with Chib and his party's cause.

As this case unfolds, it raises questions about freedom of expression, the right to protest, and the political dynamics between the Congress and BJP. The implications of this protest and subsequent arrest could resonate beyond just this event, potentially influencing public sentiment and political strategies in the lead-up to upcoming elections.