Around ten members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a brief shirtless protest inside Hall No. 5 of Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on Friday, raising slogans against Narendra Modi and criticising a proposed India-US trade deal.
The demonstrators, who allegedly entered using valid QR-coded passes, were swiftly detained by Delhi Police and taken to Tilak Marg police station for questioning. Police later informed the court that the protest may have been “inspired” by foreign movements and sought custody of four principal accused, registering a case that includes serious charges such as criminal conspiracy.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the act as a deliberate attempt to tarnish India’s global image at a prestigious international gathering, while Youth Congress leaders defended it as a democratic expression of frustration over unemployment and economic policy. The summit, attended by global technology leaders and CEOs, was only briefly disrupted before normal proceedings resumed.
Security Breach and Legal Action at Global Forum
According to police sources, the protesters entered the venue through standard registration procedures that required online sign-up and QR-coded passes linked to their respective organisations. Once inside Exhibition Hall No. 5, they removed their outer garments, revealing T-shirts printed with political slogans and imagery, and began chanting phrases including “PM is compromised” and references to the “India-US Trade Deal”.
The demonstration reportedly lasted only a few minutes but created visible commotion among delegates and international guests. Security personnel intervened promptly, escorting the individuals out of the hall. A senior officer from Delhi Police stated that “no one will be allowed to breach law and order” and confirmed that heightened security measures would follow the incident.
Four key individuals identified as being involved Krishna Hari, Kundan Yadav, Ajay Kumar and Narasimha Yadav were detained and later produced before the magistrate at Patiala House Court. Police sought extended custody, telling the court that the protest appeared coordinated and possibly inspired by protest tactics seen in Nepal’s recent youth-led demonstrations.
Officials further alleged that the accused engaged in a scuffle with security staff during their removal from the premises. A case has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including unlawful assembly and criminal conspiracy, signalling that authorities intend to pursue strict legal action.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from February 16 to 20, has drawn heads of state, global AI researchers, CEOs of multinational technology firms and policy leaders. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the summit earlier in the week, positioning it as a key platform to showcase India’s growing role in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and technological innovation. Against this backdrop, the protest’s timing heightened sensitivities, given the presence of international delegates and the government’s emphasis on projecting India as a stable and forward-looking technology hub.
Political Reactions Deepen Polarisation
The protest sparked immediate and intense political reactions. Uday Bhanu Chib, national president of the Indian Youth Congress, defended the demonstration, stating that the anger expressed was reflective of unemployed youth and concerns that a trade agreement with the United States could harm farmers and small businesses. He emphasised that peaceful protest is a constitutional right in a democracy and maintained that young people have a duty to raise their voices on issues affecting their futures.
The BJP, however, strongly criticised the action. Senior leaders described it as a “national shame” and accused the Congress of undermining India’s reputation at a time when the country was hosting a high-profile global summit. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the conduct was inappropriate at a forum focused on technological advancement and innovation. Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Pralhad Joshi and Kiren Rijiju also issued strong statements condemning the protest, asserting that it disrespected the nation and its guests.
Meanwhile, BJP workers staged demonstrations outside the residence of Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, alleging that the protest had political backing from senior Congress leadership a charge the Congress has denied. The political rhetoric on both sides has since intensified, with social media amplifying sharply worded statements and counter-statements. Observers note that the episode has quickly evolved beyond a security breach into a broader debate about dissent, patriotism and political accountability.
Attendees at the summit expressed mixed reactions. Some delegates described the disruption as embarrassing and unnecessary at an international event, while others noted that democratic societies inevitably witness protest and debate. A student visitor from Ludhiana remarked that the registration process was rigorous, making the breach surprising but not prolonged, as security responded swiftly.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Democracies are strengthened, not weakened, by the presence of dissenting voices. Young citizens raising concerns about employment, economic policy and governance is neither unusual nor illegitimate. At the same time, the manner, setting and tone of protest inevitably shape how those concerns are received both domestically and internationally. When dissent takes place at a global forum intended to showcase national progress, it risks shifting focus from substantive debate to spectacle.
The deeper issue at stake is not merely whether the protest was justified, but how India can preserve a culture where disagreement is expressed constructively and heard respectfully. A democracy must create safe, visible spaces for protest without equating criticism with disloyalty. Equally, political actors must weigh the broader consequences of their methods, especially at events designed to represent the country on the world stage.
Read more: AI Summit 2026 Disrupted: 10 IYC Workers Detained After Shirtless Protest Over Jobs And Inflation
