A shirtless protest by Indian Youth Congress members at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 sparked controversy. During the protest at Bharat Mandapam, they criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central government for issues like unemployment, inflation, and the India-US trade deal. The protest drew strong reactions from BJP-led NDA leaders, accusing the Congress of tarnishing India’s image at an international event.
The Youth Congress, facing backlash, shared a photo of Mahatma Gandhi on social media to justify their actions. Their post emphasized their connection to Gandhi, stating, “We are descendants of Gandhiji, even if we are shirtless.” Earlier, protesters had removed their shirts inside the summit venue, chanting slogans like “PM is compromised” before being detained and removed by security.
The demonstrators, some standing shirtless in front of an India AI Summit display board, took photos and tried to disrupt the event. The incident sparked political debates, with ruling alliance leaders condemning the protest as a publicity stunt and opposition figures defending it as a valid form of democratic dissent.
