Delhi AI Summit Protest: Another Youth Congress Activist Arrested From Gwalior

The Delhi Police have intensified their crackdown on Youth Congress activists involved in the disruption of the Global AI Summit held in the national capital. In a recent development, another activist identified as Jitendra Yadav was arrested from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, while this brings the total number of arrests in the case to five. The activists are accused of conducting a shirtless protest and creating a ruckus during the high-profile international event. A local court has remanded all five accused to police custody for five days to facilitate further investigation.

Details of Arrests and Police Remand

According to official reports, the Delhi Police have apprehended five key members of the Youth Congress from various states. The arrested individuals include Krishna Hari, National Secretary of Youth Congress; Kundan Yadav, State Secretary of Bihar Youth Congress; Ajay Kumar, State Vice President of Uttar Pradesh Youth Congress; Narasimha Yadav, National Coordinator of Telangana Youth Congress; and Jitendra Yadav from Gwalior. The police stated that these individuals were part of a coordinated effort to disrupt the summit, which saw participation from global tech leaders and dignitaries.

Evidence Recovery and Ongoing Raids

During the investigation, the police recovered a vehicle belonging to Youth Congress leader Krishna Hari, while inside the car, officials found several T-shirts and protest posters that were allegedly intended for use during the demonstration. Sources indicate that the police are now searching for another individual named Mukesh Sharma. To apprehend the remaining suspects who are currently absconding, police teams are conducting raids at over 12 locations across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the planning behind the protest.

Legal Framework and BNS Sections Applied

The Delhi Police have invoked several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against the accused. These include Section 61/2 for criminal conspiracy, Section 221 for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of public functions, and Section 121 for voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty. Also, charges under Section 223 for disobedience to orders duly promulgated by public servants, Section 189 for unlawful assembly, and Section 3(5) for acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention have been filed. These are non-bailable offenses reflecting the gravity of the disruption.

Prime Minister Modi's Critique in Meerut

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the incident during a rally in Meerut on Sunday, launching a sharp attack on the Congress party. " He emphasized that such actions at an international forum damage the country's reputation. Following the Prime Minister's remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has initiated protests against the Youth Congress across various cities, condemning the behavior of the activists during the AI Impact Summit.

Impact on Gen Z and Public Sentiment

The protest at the AI Summit has drawn significant criticism from the younger generation, particularly Gen Z, who view the summit as a crucial platform for India's technological advancement. Observers noted that while political parties often speak of empowering the youth, disrupting a technology-focused event sends a contradictory message. The police are continuing their technical surveillance and interrogation of the arrested individuals to identify if there was any larger institutional backing for the protest. The focus remains on ensuring that such disruptions don't recur at international venues.