Tensions boiled over in New Delhi when Delhi Police detained Indian Youth Congress leaders during an AI Summit demonstration, prompting fierce backlash from Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal. Labeling the police action as a grave infringement on democratic freedoms, Venugopal rallied against what he sees as authoritarian overreach.
Through a repost on X, Venugopal articulated that peaceful protests are integral to democracy, not offenses warranting arrests. He specifically condemned the custody of IYC’s president and members, attributing it to their audacious critique of PM Modi’s policies at the event.
Venugopal’s message was unequivocal: the workers acted bravely and peacefully, rendering the detentions baseless and illegal. He pressed for immediate liberation and quashing of charges, framing it as a stand against eroding protest rights.
The Youth Congress has mobilized, appealing for nationwide solidarity and holding an urgent meeting at their Delhi base. They decry the arrests as evidence of governmental unease provoked by non-violent activism. ‘This battle transcends our party—it’s about preserving democracy,’ IYC leaders proclaimed.
Pointing to the PM and BJP’s apparent disquiet, the youth outfit declared public involvement essential in defining democratic boundaries. This confrontation arrives amid broader narratives of opposition suppression, fueling debates on law enforcement’s role in political expression. With Venugopal’s intervention, the spotlight intensifies on balancing security and civil liberties in modern India.