Youth Congress workers detained for staging shirtless protest at AI Impact Summit expo hall

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 20, 2026: A group of activists from the Indian Youth Congress staged a surprise protest on Friday at the ‘India AI Impact Summit’, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and calling him “compromised” over the India–US trade deal, which they alleged was against the country’s interests.

Police detained four activists — National Secretaries Krishna Hari and Kundan Yadav from Bihar, National Coordinator Narasimha Yadav from Telangana, and Eastern UP Vice President Ajay Kumar.

Around a dozen Youth Congress members reportedly entered Bharat Mandapam after registering online and staged the protest at about 12.30 pm. Baijayant Panda, Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, termed the protest “anti-national”.

According to Additional Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla, the protesters had registered for the event online and entered after scanning QR codes. “They were wearing sweaters over T-shirts. Near Hall 5, they removed their sweaters and jackets and began protesting while waving their T-shirts,” he said.

The sudden demonstration caught attendees off guard. As the activists raised slogans and waved their T-shirts, some people present attempted to snatch them away. Security personnel soon escorted the protesters out, and police took several into custody.

In a post on X, Panda accused the Congress of undermining India in its attempt to target the Prime Minister, saying the party had abandoned decorum at a major global event.

Defending the protest, Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib said the demonstration reflected the anger of unemployed youth. He asserted that while the organisation was not opposed to the AI Summit, it would protest any compromise of national interests.

“This trade deal with the US is a betrayal of farmers and the public, benefiting only the US. Peaceful protest is our democratic right, and we will continue to raise the voice of the youth,” he said.

Chib added that Youth Congress workers, whom he described as “soldiers” of Rahul Gandhi, would not be intimidated by police action and would persist in speaking out on issues affecting the country’s youth.