A group of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers staged a dramatic shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit exhibition hall in Bharat Mandapam on Friday, holding T-shirts with slogans critical of the government and the India-US trade deal.
According to reports, the ten Youth Congress workers entered Exhibition Hall No 5 wearing and carrying white T-shirts printed with images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, along with slogans such as “India-US Trade Deal”, “Epstein Files”, and “PM is compromised,” leading to a commotion inside the hall.
At least four to five people have been detained and authorities are also checking whether the protesters had entered the venue using a pass or QR code, news agency ANI reported, quoting Delhi Police.
Delhi Police said they will be taking legal action in connection with the protest by members of the Indian Youth Congress, ANI reported.
The incident took place on the last day of the event while hundreds of delegates were attending the AI Summit, which was scheduled from February 16 to 20.
The workers were immediately detained following the incident, which occurred on the final day of the AI Impact Summit 2026, being held in the national capital. The disturbance also saw heated exchanges between some attendees and the protesters.
A video that has now gone viral shows the group being physically confronted by people present at the event. Security personnel promptly intervened and escorted the protesters out of the hall before taking them to Tilak Marg police station.
According to The Tribune, a senior police officer said the individuals were removed immediately to prevent any disruption to law and order and confirmed that authorities would not allow any breach of security at the international event.
Congress Says Protest Targeted ‘Compromises’ on India’s National Interests
Sharing a video of the protest, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) essentially posted a defense and justification of their protest, and said that the demonstration was a critique of the current political climate.
https://x.com/iyc/status/2024772690687770781?s=46
In a post on X, the party framed the protest as a response to a larger issue arguing that the Youth Congress workers raised their voices against a “compromised Prime Minister” citing reason saying there is no other platform left to speak out.
In another statement, the official handle of Youth Congress Uttarakhand also posted a video of the protest in the AI Summit and said, “The AI Summit isn’t just about technology, it’s also about a Compromised PM. Brave Youth Congress workers raised their voices loud and clear: India’s dignity is not up for negotiation. Inquilab Zindabad.”
https://x.com/iycuttarakhand/status/2024751296046387490?s=46
BJP Slams Congress over Protest, Calls it Anti-National Party
The protest triggered sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with several leaders criticising the protest staged by its youth wing workers at the ongoing AI Impact Summit, and alleging that a “ruckus” was created at the venue to sabotage India’s global image.
BJP leader Amit Malviya 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.”
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The BJP IT department head criticised Congress workers for taking off their shirts and creating a ruckus at the venue, saying the act was “clearly designed to embarrass India on the world stage.”
“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,” Malviya posted.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also took to his handle on X, “Shame on the Congress Party. Congress behaves like Urban Naxals. Congress is an anti-India party.”
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He alleged that Congress workers stormed the AI Impact Summit venue and raised “objectionable slogans on the instructions of Rahul Gandhi.”
“Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party, and the Gandhi-Vadra family should apologise to the country and its youth,” Bhandari demanded.
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also reacted to the protest staged by the members of the Indian Youth Congress and said, “Congress has once again proven that for them, AI isn’t Ambitious India, Artificial Intelligence, Aspirational India. For them, AI is anti-India. This isn’t the INC, this is the ANC, the anti-National Congress. The AI Summit is being praised worldwide.”
“…..At Rahul Gandhi’s behest, the Congress party is protesting; it is a characterless, brainless, emotionless protest. This isn’t a protest against the BJP, it’s not a protest against the PM, it’s a protest against India’s achievements,” he added.
Security Protocols Strengethened
Delhi Police personnel deployed at the venue indicated that security inside the exhibition halls would be further strengthened following the incident.
The protest lasted only a few minutes but surprised visitors and delegates, given the scale and international importance of the AI Impact Summit that India is currently hosting.
The summit, being held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in the presence of several international dignitaries and leaders of major technology companies.
