The protesters marched into Exhibition Hall No 5, wearing or holding 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”, creating a commotion
Indian Youth Congress workers stage a protest during India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. Pic/PTI
A group of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers on Friday staged a dramatic 'shirtless protest' at the AI Impact Summit exhibition hall, holding T-shirts with slogans against the government and the India–US trade deal, before being removed by security personnel.
A senior police officer told news agency PTI that around 10 protesters were detained during the demonstration.
“They were removed immediately and taken to Tilak Marg police station. No one will be allowed to breach law and order,” the officer added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the protest, alleging that Congress’ youth wing had created a “ruckus” at the venue to tarnish India’s global image at the behest of former party chief Rahul Gandhi.
The protesters marched into Exhibition Hall No 5, wearing or holding 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”, creating a commotion.
The incident led to heated exchanges between some summit attendees and the protesters.
Youth Congress says protest was against "compromises" on India’s interests, not AI Summit 2026
Posting a video of the protest, the IYC said the question they were raising was: “Why exactly did young Congress workers need to raise their voices against the ‘compromised PM inside the AI Summit’?”
The statement added, “In a country where the media, the system, and the prime minister himself have already been compromised, what platform remains to raise a voice against it? If we protest on the streets, we are stopped. Under the guise of IT Rules, social media posts against the government are taken down. The media has become the government’s mouthpiece. So, what avenue remains open to us?”
The Youth Congress clarified, “We are not against the AI Summit. We are against the compromises being made with India’s interests. When the country’s farmers are being bargained away, anti-India trade agreements are being signed, and the youth is kept unemployed while being dragged into politics of hate, should we stay silent?”
They added, “This country belongs to 140 crore citizens. If we know how to walk the path shown by Mahatma Gandhi, we also know how to walk the path shown by Sardar Bhagat Singh. We will never allow the interests of the country’s youths and farmers to be bargained away. Inquilab Zindabad.”
A Delhi Police officer on duty said security inside the halls will be heightened following the “unfortunate episode”.
The protest, which lasted a few minutes before the group was removed, surprised guests and other visitors, many of whom watched in disbelief given the global significance of the AI Summit hosted by India.
The AI Impact Summit, held from February 16–20 at Bharat Mandapam, is seeing participation from several heads of state, global AI leaders, academicians, researchers, top executives of tech giants, and philanthropists. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the summit on Thursday in the presence of world leaders and global tech heads.
After being removed from the hall, the protesters moved to the lobby, stood against a large backdrop, and continued shouting slogans against the government.
A student from Ludhiana visiting the Impact Arena on Friday said that general visitors registering through the summit website receive a QR code in their email.
“This QR code carries the name and identity of their organisation or institution and is used to enter the Bharat Mandapam premises,” he explained.
(With PTI inputs)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
