Shirtless Protest Sparks Turf War: Himachal vs. Delhi in Youth Congress Arrest Standoff

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Shirtless Protest Sparks Turf War: Himachal vs. Delhi in Youth Congress Arrest Standoff

In a recent incident in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, a clash erupted between state and Delhi police over the arrest of three Indian Youth Congress (IYC) members. The Delhi police attempted to detain the trio, linked to a protest at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, which drew widespread attention.

The protest occurred on February 20 when IYC members drew attention by removing their shirts and displaying messages against a proposed India-US trade deal. Their actions aimed to critique the Prime Minister’s policies. Following this, the Delhi police filed an FIR against multiple IYC members, charging them with various offenses, including rioting and criminal conspiracy.

As of now, 11 IYC members have been arrested, with three captured recently in Himachal Pradesh. The arrested trio—Saurabh, Siddharth, and Arbaz—had reportedly taken refuge in a hotel in Rohru. On Tuesday, a team from Delhi police acted on a tip-off without coordinating with local authorities, leading to tensions during their operation.

Himachal Pradesh police intervened and halted the Delhi police’s convoy, arguing that inter-state arrests require prior notice to maintain law and order. A senior officer highlighted that their approach was illegal due to a lack of necessary coordination.

The three individuals were eventually taken to Shimla and presented in court, where arguments from both sides unfolded. The situation has led to accusations from Congress leaders, claiming that the Delhi police’s actions were politically motivated. They viewed the original protest as a reflection of dissent against the government, while some BJP figures condemned the protest as “indecent” and a point of embarrassment on an international level.

In an interesting twist, Himachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, criticized the Delhi police for what he termed a “midnight raid” without proper authorization. He expressed concern over the lack of communication and transparency, especially after a Congress MLA alerted him about the police seeking protest-related suspects.

This incident highlights ongoing tensions between state and central authorities in India, raising questions about the political climate and the treatment of dissent. Attitudes toward protests and arrests are notably divided, with some viewing such actions as essential to maintaining order, while others see them as politically charged.

For more information on similar events, you can refer to this Hindustan Times article, which covers the implications of political protests and inter-state relations in India.



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