On March 28, 2026, the Patiala House Court in New Delhi granted anticipatory bail to Rajeev Kumar, linked to a protest involving the Indian Youth Congress (IYC). This protest took place during the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam on February 20, drawing attention to concerns over an India-US trade deal.
Rajeev Kumar received this bail after the court heard arguments from both the Delhi police and his legal counsel. The judge, Amit Bansal, instructed Kumar to assist in the ongoing investigation and specified that the police must give him seven days’ notice before any arrest.
Kumar’s lawyer, Amrish Ranjan Pandey, highlighted that the allegations stemmed from the protest activities. It’s worth noting that several other IYC members had previously received similar assurances from the court. This includes Udai Bhanu Chib, IYC’s president, and Vikas Chikara, the general secretary, who are also implicated in the protests. Chikara faced a non-bailable warrant but was granted interim bail as well, with a requirement to report to the crime branch.
During the protest, IYC members expressed their disappointment over political issues by removing their shirts, which bore slogans like “Compromised PM.” This dramatic act led to the arrest of seven party leaders and showcased a growing trend of public dissent among youth against political decisions.
Protests like these reveal a broader societal frustration. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, approximately 65% of young people in India feel that their voices aren’t being heard in political matters. Such sentiments often lead to creative forms of protest, as seen in this case.
As public discourse evolves, protests are shifting from traditional methods to more innovative expressions, reflecting the urgency of the younger generation’s concerns in the political landscape.
For more insights, you can explore studies on political engagement here.
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Anticipatory bail, Rajeev kumar, AI summit protest, Indian youth congress, Bharat mandapam, Delhi police
