Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Anirudh Sawhney, State general secretary of Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Youth Congress, has condemned the detention of IYC National president Uday Bhanu Chib by the Delhi Police in connection with an incident at the AI Summit, describing it as “completely baseless, politically motivated, and undemocratic.”
In a press statement, Sawhney stated that Youth Congress members had peacefully gone to the AI Summit to express concerns regarding unemployment and issues affecting farmers, particularly in the backdrop of the recent US trade deal. “Slogans such as ‘PM is compromised’ reflect the frustration and anger of millions of young Indians facing unemployment and uncertainty. Detaining a national youth leader — especially one who was not even present at the spot — is a direct attack on democratic values and constitutional freedoms,” he said, adding that expressing dissent in a democracy cannot be treated as a crime.
He further emphasized that the protest was entirely peaceful and lawful. “India is a democracy where peaceful protest is a fundamental right. When Youth Congress members raised questions about a trade deal they believe may harm Indian farmers and disproportionately benefit America, they were voicing the concerns of common citizens. Instead of addressing these issues, the authorities chose intimidation and suppression,” Sawhney remarked.
He warned that attempts to silence democratic voices would only intensify public dissatisfaction. Calling the detention a misuse of power, Sawhney said that targeting a national youth leader sends a troubling message about the shrinking space for dissent in the country. Issuing a firm warning, Sawhney declared that if such actions continue, the Youth Congress will escalate its democratic agitation across the country.
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