Members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a protest at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, raising concerns about unemployment, inflation, and the reported India-US trade deal. Some protesters removed their shirts, chanted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and were detained by security personnel to prevent disruption of the event.
During the protest, some party workers went topless, stood in front of an India AI Summit board, and attempted to cause a disturbance. Security personnel promptly intervened, removing the protesters from the venue to maintain order.
The protesters’ entry into the venue, where numerous attendees, including foreigners, were present, remains unclear. The Youth Congress later shared videos of the demonstration on their social media platform.
Legal action is being taken against the demonstrators for breaching security protocols at the venue. The detained workers were escorted to Tilak Marg Police Station for further investigation and questioning.
In a statement, the youth wing of the opposition Indian National Congress emphasized that the protest aimed to highlight concerns about corporate interests superseding national priorities. They criticized the government’s foreign policy stance and linked the demonstration to economic challenges such as escalating prices and unemployment.
