New Delhi, March 16 The Indian Youth Congress held a 'Sansad Gherao' at Jantar Mantar here on Monday to oppose the India-US trade deal, alleging that the agreement could adversely affect farmers, workers, and small businesses.
At least 90 protesters were detained as they attempted to march towards Parliament, a senior police officer said, adding that they would be released later.
In a video circulated on social media, members of the Youth Congress claimed that after they were detained, a bus carrying them ran out of CNG midway.
"The police detained us and put us on a bus. But while we were being taken away, the bus ran out of CNG, and the police had to leave us midway near the Patel Nagar metro station. This shows how severe the shortage of gas is in the country," one of the members can be heard saying in the video posted on the X account of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC).
Led by IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib, hundreds of Youth Congress workers from several states gathered at the protest site, raising slogans against the Centre and demanding that the government scrap the trade arrangement.
Addressing the gathering, Chib alleged that the trade arrangement could have serious implications for farmers and small businesses, and demanded that the government reconsider the agreement.
"The government must clarify whether this deal was signed keeping in mind the interests of farmers and young people of the country. We demand that the Centre scrap the agreement if it harms India's agricultural sector and domestic industries," Chib said.
He also said that the Youth Congress would continue its agitation on the issue. "Our struggle will continue until the concerns of farmers and youth are addressed," he added.
Protesters raised slogans against the Centre and displayed placards demanding the scrapping of the trade agreement. Some demonstrators also carried symbolic props to highlight issues such as the alleged shortage of LPG cylinders and rising prices.
According to police officials, IYC workers were detained as they attempted to march towards the Parliament complex.
Several police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order during the protest.
