Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal on Friday strongly condemned the arrest of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) chief Uday Bhanu Chib, describing it as an attempt to silence those raising public concerns.
Chib was taken into custody by police in connection with protests over recent national issues. According to party sources, he was detained while participating in demonstrations highlighting farmers’ concerns and other public grievances. Officials have stated that the action was taken following alleged violations of law and order provisions during the protest. However, detailed charges have not been publicly elaborated.
Arrest of Youth Congress Chief
The Congress party termed the arrest “undemocratic” and accused the Centre of targeting opposition voices.
Venugopal alleged that the government is unwilling to listen to critics or opposition leaders.
He said: “Those who are agitating for the people and raising the voice of the common citizens and farmers are not being heard. The Prime Minister is not ready to hear them. He is not ready to hear the voice of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. We will continue to fight for the common cause of this country.”
He added that protests and democratic dissent are essential features of India’s constitutional framework.
Government and Political Response
As of now, there has been no detailed response from the BJP leadership on Venugopal’s remarks. Police officials have maintained that the arrest was carried out according to established legal procedures.
Political observers note that tensions between the Congress and the ruling BJP have intensified ahead of key state elections and national political campaigns, with protests and counter-allegations becoming more frequent.
Remarks on “The Kerala Story 2” Controversy
In a separate statement, Venugopal also commented on the release of the film The Kerala Story 2, alleging that certain narratives are being used to create division.
He said Kerala is known for communal harmony and accused unnamed forces of attempting to disturb that balance.
“The Kerala story is the harmony of people in this state — whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or Sikh. Your agenda is to create hatred and division, which will not succeed. You may make films, but you cannot change the mindset of the people of Kerala.”
Background of the Controversy
The Kerala Story 2 has sparked political debate, with critics claiming it presents a divisive narrative. Supporters, however, argue that the film addresses sensitive issues that deserve discussion.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared the film for release, though some political groups have raised objections regarding its content.
Political Context
The Congress party has repeatedly accused the Centre of suppressing dissent, while the BJP maintains that law enforcement agencies act independently and within legal frameworks.
With elections approaching in several states, political rhetoric surrounding arrests, protests, and cultural narratives is expected to intensify.
