The investigation and opposition to the ‘shirtless’ protest during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has intensified, with Congress youth wing chief Uday Bano Shib arrested as the ‘mastermind’ behind the demonstration – which the Delhi Police is now calling a ‘deep conspiracy’.
Delhi Police on Tuesday arrested Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Uday Bano Shib, describing him as the “chief conspirator” and “mastermind” behind last week’s protests at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.
Authorities also added riot charges against Chip and seven other Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers who were arrested earlier, PTI reported.
The arrest sparked sharp political reactions, with the Congress condemning the police actions and calling them a “murder of democracy”, while the Bharatiya Janata Party accused Rahul Gandhi of being the “mastermind” behind the protest.
Meanwhile, protests broke out across the states by congressional workers in support of CHIP. Amid the ongoing controversy over the ‘shirtless’ protest, here’s everything you need to know about the youth leader:
Read also | Indian Youth Congress president arrested for shirtless protest at AI summit
Who is Uday Bhanu Shib?
Uday Bhanu Shib is a senior leader of the Congress Party who is currently the National President of the Indian Youth Congress. He was appointed to the post on 22 September 2024 by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, succeeding Srinivas BV.
Shib hails from Ballora in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir. He holds an engineering degree from the University of Pune and an MBA from Arni University in Himachal Pradesh.
He comes from a politically active family. His father, Hari Singh Shib, is the vice-president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee.
Chip’s political journey began through the youth and student wings of the Congress Party. He served as the National Secretary of the National Students Union of India (NSUI) and was also the State President of NSUI in Jammu and Kashmir.
He later became the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, and then served as general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress, before being elevated to the position of national president.
Shib is the second leader from Jammu and Kashmir to head the Indian Youth Commission after Ghulam Nabi Azad, who held the position in 1980.
“Aggressive elements” and “security breach”
Addressing a press conference, Special Commissioner of Police (Crime Cell, Police and Information Department) Devesh Chandra Srivastva described the accused as “aggressive elements” and alleged that the protest was a deliberate attempt to breach security at an international event attended by dignitaries and delegates.
“On February 20, during the Indian AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, a deliberate attempt was made to breach the security cordon in the presence of dignitaries, delegates and visitors attending the international event. The aggressive elements were immediately overpowered. In the process of restraining them, some police personnel deployed on duty sustained injuries,” it said.
Police said that surveillance camera footage from the scene and surrounding areas showed the involvement of several individuals.
“It was also discovered that several other persons were involved, who were allegedly helping the aggressive elements in various ways in carrying out the act,” Srivastva said.
He added that there is continuous coordination with police authorities across the states, and raids are being conducted “to uncover the entire conspiracy.”
Read also | Rahul Gandhi angrily storms out over IYC chief’s arrest over shirtless protest at AI summit, slams ‘dictatorial tendencies’
What are the charges?
During the investigation, the police added Sections 191(1) (rioting) and 192 (provocation with intent to create riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.
Later, a Delhi court ordered Shib to be remanded in police custody for four days, while the investigating officer sought his detention for seven days.
The police also invoked additional sections under the National Security Law, including Article 196 (promoting hostility between different groups) and Article 197 (assertions prejudicial to national integration). Both sentences carry a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Srivastva said that considering the “ramifications of the case on several countries”, including the alleged financial and logistical links, the investigation has been transferred to the Inter-State Cell of the Crime Branch for a thorough investigation.
Mother’s statement regarding Shipp’s arrest
Following the arrest, Shipp’s mother, Rajni Bhalla, publicly defended her son.
“…I am proud of my son. We are choosing the right path and we will do the right thing… In the end, the truth always wins. I have no regrets. It doesn’t matter how long they keep my son in prison…”
“My son said that we are following the path of Gandhi and we can even become Bhagat Singh if necessary, and I am proud of him. Today, we need Bhagat Singh, and I urge all young people to become Bhagat Singh and think for their country. Those who protested did not commit any crime…”
Congress responded
The Congress strongly condemned the arrests, with Rahul Gandhi claiming that the action reflects “dictatorial tendencies and cowardice”.
Gandhi said he was proud of the Youth Congress members who “fearlessly raised their voices in the national interest”.
“We will make all necessary sacrifices to protect democracy and the constitution of our country. We will continue to fight and continue our struggle against those who have mortgaged our country,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters.
BJP responds
The BJP responded to the Congress allegations and accused Rahul Gandhi of organizing the protest.
“Rahul Gandhi is the mastermind, super mastermind, of such a chaotic incident. The naked protest organized by Congress youth wing president and others at the behest of Rahul Gandhi has tarnished the image of India,” said Gaurav Bhatia, BJP spokesperson.
He added: “There is not much difference between Rahul Gandhi and those who are ‘lampat, gondi and mawale’.”
