On Saturday, a Delhi court placed four Indian Youth Congress workers in police custody for five days after they staged a shirtless protest at the Bharat Mandapam during an AI summit. The police claimed that their actions were part of a broader conspiracy to tarnish India’s reputation globally, drawing parallels to a similar protest in Nepal.
The accused, Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar, and Narasimha Yadav, were brought before the Patiala House Court. Police emphasized that they needed more time for interrogating the suspects to uncover the alleged network behind the protest and to identify others involved.
During the protest, the participants, coming from various locations, had coordinated efforts to print T-shirts that bore anti-government messages. According to the prosecution, this organization was further demonstrated when the protesters chanted anti-national slogans against the India-US trade pact.
The police reported injuries to three officers during the protest. They also mentioned that they needed to secure the accused’s mobile phones to check for any funding linked to the demonstration.
The lawyer for the accused argued that their actions were protected political expression. He said protests are common in the country and that the government should not target individuals based on their political beliefs. Initially, about ten members of the youth organization were detained.
According to ACP Devesh Mahla, around 15 youth activists entered Hall No. 5 before being removed. He noted that the incident escalated into a scuffle with security personnel.
Investigators are probing whether the protest was part of a larger plot. Reports suggest that before entering the summit, the activists registered online for QR codes, allowing them access to the venue. Initially, they had considered using black umbrellas to display stickers but opted for T-shirts instead, fearing that umbrellas would attract more security scrutiny.
This protest reflects a growing trend of political dissent among youth groups in India, especially against government policies. Recent surveys indicate that young people are increasingly vocal about their views, with many utilizing social media platforms to organize and share their messages. In 2023, over 65% of youth reported feeling compelled to engage in activism concerning political issues. This trend highlights a shift in how younger generations approach political involvement compared to past decades.
For more insights on political activism and youth involvement, you can refer to resources by the Pew Research Center.
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