New Delhi, March 20 The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Friday claimed that its members faced "harassment" in the wake of the anti-Centre AI Summit protest.
The Congress youth wing also alleged that the US trade deal, which it protested against, would harm farmers, compromise national data, and benefit American interests.
Addressing a press conference in Delhi, IYC national president Uday Bhanu Chib said the organization's protest was aimed at highlighting concerns over the agreement, which he described as "detrimental to the people of the nation, particularly farmers."
"It is well known that we staged a protest during the AI Summit. The sole objective was to highlight how the government entered into this trade deal in a compromised manner," Chib said, according to a statement.
He alleged that the deal could adversely impact the agricultural sector and the textile industry, besides jeopardising data security.
"The nation's data, which is our greatest asset, could potentially be transferred to the United States free of cost. This would result in losses for citizens and damage key sectors," he said.
Chib noted that several Youth Congress members were detained and faced pressure after the protest. "Many of our colleagues were imprisoned and subjected to harassment. However, all of them have now been granted bail," he said.
Referring to the anticipatory bail granted to IYC national in-charge Manish Sharma in connection with the protest, Chib said it reaffirmed their faith in the legal system.
Sharma, speaking at the press conference, alleged that the protest was being "criminalised" and that FIRs did not accurately reflect the nature of the demonstration.
"Our colleagues were protesting peacefully, raising slogans, yet punitive action was initiated against them," he said.
He claimed that families of workers were harassed and homes raided.
"The right to protest is fundamental. We will continue to raise our voice against this one-sided agreement," Sharma said.
