Himachal Pradesh News
Himachal Pradesh : Youth Congress Protests Arrests at AI Summit, Alleges Double Standards by Centre
Tensions escalated in the national capital on Sunday as the State Youth Congress took to the streets, protesting the arrest of its workers who had demonstrated outside the venue of the International AI Summit in Delhi. The protesters accused the Narendra Modi-led government of silencing opposition voices and demanded the immediate release of those detained, along with the withdrawal of all cases filed against them.
Tensions escalated in the national capital on Sunday as the State Youth Congress took to the streets, protesting the arrest of its workers who had demonstrated outside the venue of the International AI Summit in Delhi. The protesters accused the Narendra Modi-led government of silencing opposition voices and demanded the immediate release of those detained, along with the withdrawal of all cases filed against them.
What began as a demonstration soon turned heated when a minor scuffle broke out between police personnel and protesters attempting to march towards the Congress headquarters. Slogans echoed through the area as Youth Congress members voiced their anger over what they described as an “attack on democratic rights.”
State Youth Congress president Chhatar Singh Thakur sharply criticized the Central government, alleging that the arrests were an attempt to suppress criticism and divert attention from what he termed policy failures. “A democracy thrives on dissent,” he said, adding that targeting youth voices sends the wrong message about the country’s commitment to free expression.
The controversy deepened with remarks from IYC general secretary Shesh Narayan Ojha, who raised questions about a Chinese robotic dog reportedly showcased at the summit. The device, allegedly presented by Galgotia University as its own innovation, has triggered debate and political reactions. Ojha claimed that the episode had embarrassed the nation and demanded accountability at the highest levels.
Rejecting accusations that their protest tarnished India’s global image during an international event, Youth Congress leaders reminded the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of its own past actions. They pointed to protests organised by the BJP during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, arguing that dissent was then described as a democratic right.
“Back then, protests were seen as part of democracy. Today, when we raise our voice, we are labelled anti-national. This shows clear double standards,” protesters said.
As political temperatures rise, the episode has once again brought the spotlight on the balance between governance, global image, and the fundamental right to protest in the world’s largest democracy.
