New Delhi, February 24: In a sharp critique of the central government’s actions, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has condemned the arrest of Indian Youth Congress National President Uday Bhanu Chib by Delhi Police. Baghel, a senior Congress leader, called for his immediate release, labeling the detention as unlawful and an assault on democratic rights.
Posting on social media platform X, Baghel expressed outrage over what he described as the ‘illegal arrest’ of Chib and other young Congress workers. ‘The authoritarian regime seems to forget that in a democracy, raising voices, asking questions, and protesting are not crimes but the strongest weapons of democracy,’ he stated emphatically.
Baghel highlighted that the Youth Congress activists had peacefully drawn attention to the Prime Minister’s unfulfilled promises and the unheard grievances of the youth. ‘This was a courageous, justified, and democratic step,’ he asserted, accusing the government of resorting to police repression to suppress it. He demanded not only the immediate release of Chib and all detained workers but also the withdrawal of all ‘false charges’ and an end to such suppressive tactics.
The arrests stem from protests during the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan. Youth Congress members staged a demonstration, going shirtless to symbolize their bold stance against youth unemployment and policy failures. Delhi Police detained Chib in connection with the event, with heavy security deployed outside Tilak Marg police station.
While the BJP has ramped up attacks on Congress, demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders maintain that the protesters did nothing wrong. This incident underscores escalating tensions between the ruling party and opposition youth wings ahead of key political battles. Baghel’s intervention signals Congress’s intent to rally behind its young leaders, framing the arrests as a broader threat to free expression and democratic norms.