Youth Congress members detained at AI Summit after shirtless protest against PM
Youth Congress members detained at AI Summit after shirtless protest against PM
M.U.H
20/02/202616
There seems to be no end to controversies at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. On Friday, a group of Youth Congress workers took off their t-shirts and briefly protested at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before being whisked away by security personnel.
That the incident happened on a day several top CEOs attended the AI summit raised the BJP's hackles, who called it an attempt by the Congress to sabotage India's global image.
PROTEST UNFOLDS AT SUMMIT
The protesters reportedly entered the venue using QR-coded passes. Delhi Police sources said around 10 people, claiming to be members of the Youth Congress, participated in the demonstration. "Four to five individuals have been taken into custody," a police source said.
They marched inside Hall No 5, holding or wearing white T-shirts printed with images of Prime Minister Modi and former US President Donald Trump, along with slogans such as "India-US Trade Deal", "Epstein Files" and "PM is compromised". The protest lasted only a few minutes but resulted in a commotion, with some attendees expressing shock at the disruption.
LEADERS INVOLVED
The Congress Youth leaders reportedly involved in the protest include Krishna Hari, national secretary of Youth Congress from Bihar; Kundan Yadav, state secretary of Bihar; Ajay Kumar, state president of Uttar Pradesh; and Narasimha Yadav from Telangana.
CUSTODY AND LEGAL ACTION
All those detained were taken to Tilak Marg police station for questioning.
The Delhi Police confirmed that strict legal action will be initiated and that security inside the halls will be heightened following the "unfortunate episode". A senior police officer said, "They were removed immediately and taken to Tilak Marg police station. No one will be allowed to breach law and order".
According to officials, the accused engaged in a protracted scuffle with security personnel and police staff deployed at the venue.
All four arrested Youth Congress workers will be presented before the Patiala House Court Duty Magistrate.
YOUTH CONGRESS DEFENDS ACTION
Responding to the backlash, Uday Bhanu Chib, national president of the Indian Youth Congress, defended the protest.
He said, "Today, Youth Congress members went to the AI Summit and raised slogans, 'PM is compromised'. This anger isn't just from our Youth Congress members. It’s from every young person who is unemployed today, and every single one of them knows that our Prime Minister is compromised. This trade deal with the US, we all know, will harm our farmers and people. Only America will benefit. It’s our duty to raise their voice. Our country has democracy. We can hold peaceful protests anywhere".
BJP LEADERS CONDEMN PROTEST
The demonstration drew strong criticism from the BJP. Several BJP workers arrived at Rahul Gandhi's Delhi residence and raised slogans over the issue.
Amit Malviya, national head of the BJP’s IT cell, called it a “national shame” on X. He said, “At a time when India is hosting a prestigious global AI Summit, showcasing its innovation and leadership in technology, the Congress party chose disruption over dignity. Under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, Congress workers went topless and created a ruckus at the venue, an act clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage.”
Malviya added, “When the nation is striving to position itself as a global technology powerhouse, such conduct only serves the interests of those who wish to see India falter. Political opposition is a democratic right, but sabotaging India’s global image is not. India deserves better.”
Delhi Cabinet Minister Sirsa also condemned the protest, saying, “Today, Rahul Gandhi protested in front of Indian National Youth Congress at the AI Summit. He took off his clothes and danced naked in front of foreign guests. This is a very shameful act. Protesting is one thing, but protesting against the government, the country and the image of India in front of international visitors is completely unacceptable. The Gandhi family should think about how low they have fallen. We are very sorry about this and condemn this disgusting protest.”
BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged, “This wasn’t planned by some Youth Congress leader on the street. It was planned at Rahul Gandhi’s residence, in the presence of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Vadra. This is an experiment, not a coincidence.”
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan added, “Congress workers didn’t just take off their shirts at the AI Summit, but they exposed how Congress is anti-India. This is treason. This is tampering with the image of our country. I want to ask Sonia Gandhi ji and Mallikarjun Kharge ji, is politics bigger than the country for them? Have they signed a secret deal to play with the country’s prestige? The public will not forgive this.”
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister, tweeted, “The shameful conduct of members of Indian Youth Congress at Bharat Mandapam once again exposes the hollow core of Congress politics. When there is no vision, no credibility, drama becomes the default strategy. Such behaviour is certainly not expected from a grand old party of the country. Protesting has become their habit because performance politics is easier than performance in governance. At such a major event showcasing India’s global rise, they chose to embarrass the nation instead of respecting its image. With every such act, they are only making themselves look like jokers on the national stage.”
Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister, tweeted, “This is a Global AI Summit, not a BJP election rally! Congress Party itself has become a ‘National Shame.’”
REACTIONS FROM ATTENDEES
Guests and other visitors at the summit expressed surprise and disbelief at the protest, which briefly disrupted the event. One visitor carrying an authenticated entry badge told the protesters that their actions “tarnished the image of India” and urged security to remove them from the venue.
The AI Impact Summit 2026, taking place from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, has drawn several heads of state, global AI leaders, researchers, CEOs of technology firms, and philanthropists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit on February 16 in the presence of multiple world leaders.
A student from Ludhiana attending the summit noted that all visitors must register online and obtain a QR-coded pass linking them to their organisation, which is scanned for entry at the venue.
